Mercury dips to 2.5 degrees celsius at Narnaul

Chandigarh, Dec 9 (UNI) People reeled under cold climatic conditions in many parts of northwest India as the minimum temperature stayed low in the region, dipping to 2.5 degrees celsius at Narnaul in Haryana.

Thick fog enveloped many areas in the region, including Amritsar, Pathankot, Adampur, Bhatinda, Halwara, Ambala, Chandigarh, Sarsawa, Sirsa, Suratgarh and Hindon, reducing visibility considerably at these places. The fog, however, lifted as the day advanced.

Narnaul in Mahendergarh district turned out to be the coldest place in Haryana, recording a sharp fall in the mercury to 2.5 degrees from eight degrees registered yesterday.

The minimum hovered at 5.0 degrees celsius at Rohtak while Ambala and Hissar recorded a low of 7.6 degrees and 7.0 degrees respectively. The temperature also fell at Karnal recording eight degrees celsius.

Cold surface winds blew across Punjab where Amritsar and Jalandhar with 4.4 degrees celsius each, remained the coldest places in the state. The minimum temperature hovered two degrees below normal in the holy city.

However, the minimum rose at Patiala and Ludhiana but stayed low.

Patiala recorded 8.1 degrees and Ludhiana 5.9 degrees celsius, one degree below normal.

Cold wave conditions 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 hovered below freezing point. Kalpa in Kinnaur district showed minus three degrees.

Kullu valley was under the impact of cold climatic following further drop in the temprature. The minimum dipped to 2.2 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu district and to 4.1 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district.

Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions although the capital town recorded increase in the temperature from 3.1 degrees to 5.2 degrees celsius. The town measured 4.4 mm rain overnight.

Chandigarh also recorded a fall in the minimum temperature hovering one degree below normal. The city registered the minimum at 7.0 degrees celsius.

Rain or snow is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh while the weather will be mainly sunny in Punjab and Haryana tomorrow. The Met office said ground frost is likely to occur at isolated places in Haryana and Punjab during the next night.

UNI VKJ VD GC1759