Chandigarh, Jan 3 (IANS): Dense foggy conditions in Punjab have forced the education department to change the timings of all schools in the state.

Education Minister O.P. Soni said the move was made to ensure that children were kept safe from intense fog and harsh weather conditions.

The new timings would be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for all the primary schools and 10 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. for all the middle, high and senior secondary schools.

The timings will be applicable to all government, private, aided and recognized schools.

The changed timings will be effective till further orders, the Minister said.

Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi's arrival in Punjab was delayed by over one hour due to fog.

On Thursday, the minimum temperatures dipped again at most places across Haryana and Punjab.

Dense fog prevailed over several parts of both states on Wednesday.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 1.8 degrees against 3.6 degrees on Wednesday. Chandigarh, which recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, was chillier at 5.5 degrees on Thursday.

In Haryana, Hisar recorded 4.7 degrees against 7.5 degrees a day earlier. Karnal and Narnaul recorded lows of 4 degrees each against 6 degrees on Wednesday.

Ludhiana and Patiala in Punjab recorded minimum temperatures of 4.2 and 6 degrees respectively.