Mercury stays low in region

Chandigarh, Dec 1 (UNI) People reeled under cold climatic conditions in many parts of northwest India as the minimum temperature continued to stay low in the region today.

Cold surface winds blew across the plains in Punjab where Adampur with 3.2 degrees celsius turned out to be coldest place. The holy city of Amritsar recorded 5.4 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal, and Ludhiana 6.0 degrees, three degrees below normal.

However, the minimum temperature rose at Patiala from 7.2 degrees to 9.0 degrees celsius.

In Haryana, the mercury dipped to 8.6 degrees, one degree below normal, at Karnal. The temperature hovered at 6.0 degrees at Narnaul in Mahendergarh district while Ambala recorded 12.1 degrees, four degrees above normal. Rohtak registered 11.0 degrees celsius.

Cold wave conditions also prevailed in many areas of Himachal Pradesh. A piercing cold wave swept the tribal districts of Lahaul spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district, where the minimum temperature hovered below freezing point.

Kullu valley was under the impact of a cold wave following further drop in the temprature. The minimum dipped to 0.7 degrees, two degrees below normal at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Sunderdnagar recorded 2.1 degrees and Una 2.7 degrees. Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions with the capital town recording 4.1 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal.

People shivered under the piercing cold wave in Kashmir valley with Srinagar recording minus 2.8 degrees, two degrees below normal.

Chandigarh recorded a slight fall in the minimum temperature which had appreciably increased yesterday. The city registered 9.4 degrees celsius.

The Met Department has predicted a mainly sunny day in the region tomorrow.

UNI VKJ PB KP1831