Cold wave returns in parts of Punjab

Chandigarh, Dec 7 (UNI) Cold wave returned in parts of Punjab following further drop in mercury as higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall last night.

A dense fog enveloped several areas in the north-west region, reducing visibility considerably and forcing vehicular traffic to move at snail's pace. The visibility was nil at Udhampur, Amritsar, Halwara and Ambala and upto 100 metres at Pathankot and 500 metres at Adampur. The fog, however, disappeared as the day advanced.

The temperature stayed one degree to two degrees celsius below normal in Punjab but hovered above normal in Haryana. Low clouds hung over the plains and the Sun played hide and seek during the day.

Cold wave conditions prevailing in some parts of Punjab are likely to extend in more areas of the state as the Met Office warned of ground frost formation at isolated places in the state during the next two nights.

Ludhiana at 4.8 degree celsius, two degrees below normal, remained the coldest place in the state, followed by Amritsar at 5.1 degrees Celcius, one degree below normal.

In Haryana, Ambala reported one degree above normal temperature at 8.7 degrees Celcius while Karnal recorded a temperature of 11.0 degrees Celcius, two degrees above normal.

The tribal district of Lahaul spiti in Himachal Pradesh had a fresh snowfall last night, further plummeting the temperature. A severe cold wave persisted in the state following the snowfall.

Keylong, headquarters of Lahaul Spiti district, and Patsio recorded snowfall of four cm each last night, intensifying the coldwave conditions in the tribal and other adjoining areas of the state.

The 13050-foot high Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, also experienced snowfall, intensifying cold weather conditions in Kullu valley. The Pass was under over five feet snow.

The Manali-Keylong road was closed to traffic.

The state capital Shimla recorded the night temperature of 3.9 degrees celsius, as against 4.9 degrees recorded yesterday. Icy-cold winds blew across the town and tourist places of Wildflower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda, forcing the tourists to stay indoors.

Chandigarh and adjoining areas reeled under cold weather conditions following a drastic fall in the temperature to 7.8 degrees Celcius from 12.5 degrees Celcius registered yesterday.

Light to moderate rain or snow is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh while the weather will be mainly sunny tomorrow in Punjab and Haryana with fog or mist occuring in the morning and evening.

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