Mercury stays low in region

Chandigarh, Dec 5 (UNI) People reeled under cold climatic conditions in many parts of northwest India as the minimum temperatures stayed low in the region today.

Several areas in the region, including Ambala, Sarsawa and Hindon, were shrouded in a thick fog, reducing the visibility considerably.

The Northern Railway has decided to cancell seven prestigeous trains running on various rail sections from December 8 to January 31 in the wake of current foggy weather, a report from Phagwara quoting railway sources said.

These trains are: 4723/4724 Chandigarh-Bhiwani Express, 3039/3040 Delhi-Mugalsarai Janta Express, 4307/4308 Mugalsarai-Allhabad Bareili Express, 3007/3008 Shriganganagar-Mugalsarai Udhyan Abha Express, 3111/3112 Delhi-Mugalsarai Lal Quila Express, 4717/4718 Chandigarh-Allahabad Unchahar Express and 4723/4724 Delhi-Kanpur Kalindi Express.

Cold surface winds blew across the plains in Punjab where Adampur with 3.0 degrees celsius turned out to be coldest place. The holy city of Amritsar recorded 4.9 degrees celsius, one degree below normal, and Ludhiana 6.0 degrees, two degrees below normal.

However, the minimum rose at Patiala from 9.5 degrees to 10.3 degrees celsius.

In Haryana, the mercury dipped to 5.4 degrees, four degrees below normal, at Ambala, while Karnal registered 6.6 degrees, three degrees below normal, and Rohtak 6.7 degrees, one degree down.

Narnaul in Mahendergarh district showed 9.5 degrees and Hissar 9.3 three degrees celsius, which was one degree above normal.

Cold wave conditions prevailed in many areas of Himachal Pradesh.

Kullu valley was under the impact of cold wave following further drop in the temprature.

The minimum dipped to 1.0 degrees celsius at tourist place of Manali and 2.0 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Una recorded 2.2 degrees, Sunderdnagar 2.6 degrees, Mandi 3.6 degrees, Dharamsala 9.9 degrees and Nahan 10.6 degrees celsius .

Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions with the capital town recording 6.0 degrees celsius.

A piercing cold wave swept the tribal districts of Lahaul spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district, where the minimum hovered below freezing point. Kalpa recorded minus 1.5 degrees celsius.

People groaned under cold conditions at Jammu recording 6.0 degrees celsius, four degrees below normal.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas also recorded a fall in the minimum temperature which had increased yesterday. The city registered 5.4 degrees celsius, three degrees below normal.

The Weather Office has predicted partly cloudy day in the region tomorrow.

UNI