Punjab is bracing for severe cold and dense fog over the next 48 hours, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert. Temperatures are expected to drop further, and light to moderate rain is forecast for New Year's Eve due to a western disturbance. The dense fog is predicted to reduce visibility to zero in some districts, potentially disrupting air and rail services. Minimum temperatures across the state are ranging between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius.