Cold wave continues in Punjab

Chandigarh, Dec 8 (UNI) Cold wave continued to sweep Punjab as the mercury further dipped in many parts of the north-west region today with Ludhiana recording a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius in the plains.

People groaned under cold wave conditions in Punjab as the minimum temperature stayed one degree to four degrees below normal at several places in the state. Cold wave conditions are likely to abate in the next two days, according to the Met office here. However, the Met office issued low temperature warning for Punjab, where ground frost may occur at isolated places during the next night.

Ludhiana was the coldest place in the plains with the minimum plummeting to 3.5 degrees celsius, four degrees below normal, from 4.8 degrees recorded yesterday. The temperature also stayed one degree below normal at Amritsar and Patiala, respectively recording 4.6 degrees and 6.7 degrees Celsius.

A thick fog enveloped certain areas in the region, reducing visibility to nil at Adampur, and upto 100 metres at Pathankot and 600 metres at Sarsawa. Udhampur in Jammu and kashmir had visibility upto 500 metres. The fog, however, disappeared as the day advanced.

The temperature also fell in Haryana with most areas in the state experiencing cloudy weather. Hissar recorded 8.1 degrees Celsius while Ambala and Karnal registered 8.5 degrees Celsius each.

As many as six people have been killed in the current spell of cold and fog-related accidents in Punjab and Haryana so far.

Chandigarh and its surrounding areas of Punjab and Haryana were also under the impact of cold climatic conditions although the temperature rose to 9.0 degrees from 7.8 degrees Celsius recorded yesterday.

Cold weather conditions also persisted in many parts of Himachal Pradesh. Bhuntar in Kullu district recorded the minimum at 4.0 degrees, two degrees above normal. Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded 6.0 degrees Celsius.

The entire tribal belt reeled under biting cold wave with the mercury hovering below freezing point. Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded minus 4.2 degrees celsius.

Shimla and its adjoining areas were also under the impact of cold climatic conditions with the capital town recording 3.8 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal. The town experienced rain and sleet in the afternoon after a bright sunshine in the morning.

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

UNI VKJ SB KN1804