Cold wave continues in NW

Chandigarh, Nov 29 (UNI) Cold wave continued to sweep parts of north-west India following further drop in the mercury hovering one degree to four degrees below normal at many places in the region today.

Certain areas in the region, including Sarsawa, were enveloped in fog which, however, cleared as the day advanced. Ambala, Amritsar, Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Halwara experienced mist while Chandigarh, Karnal and Jammu reported haze in the morning.

People groaned under piercing cold wave in Punjab as the temperature stayed low. The Minimum further dipped to 3.2 degrees celsius at Adampur, near Jalandhar, turning it the coldest place in the state.

The minimum hovered four degrees below normal at Ludhiana recording 4.8 degrees celsius. Patiala registered 6.0 degrees, three degrees below normal, and Amritsar 5.6 degrees, one degree down.

The minimum also plummeted in Haryana with Narnaul recording 5.0 degrees celsius and stayed three degrees below normal at Ambala and Karnal respectively showing 5.4 degrees and 7.0 degrees.

Several areas in Himchal Pradesh, including the entire tribal belt, reeled under severe cold wave. The minimum temperature hovered below freezing point in the tribal areas.

Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded the minimum at 2.9 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district reported 3.4 degrees. The capital Shimla was lashed by icy-cold winds as the minimum dived to 3.8 degrees, two degrees below normal.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also lashed by cold wave with the mercury further dipping in the city to 5.4 degrees, four degrees below normal, from 6.6 degrees recorded yesterday.

As many as four people have died due to the current spell of cold wave and fog-related incidents in Haryana and Punjab.

The Met Office said cold wave conditions, prevailing in parts of Punjab and Haryana, are likely to continue for the next two days. It warned of ground frost formation at isolated places in the twin states during the next two nights and predicted mainly sunny day tomorrow in the region.

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