Mercury stays low in Northwest

Chandigarh, Dec 20 (UNI) People reeled under cold climatic conditions in many parts of northwest India as the minimum temperature stayed low in the region today.

A thick fog enveloped several areas in the region, including Halwara, Bhatinda, Sarsawa and Hindon, reducing visibility considerably at these places. The fog, however, disappeared as the day advanced.

Amritsar with 3.4 degrees celsius, two degrees below normal, turned out to be the coldest place in Punjab where the cold wave abated today. The minimum hovered one degree below normal at Ludhiana rcording 6.0 degrees while Patiala showed 9.6 degrees celsius.

However, the minimum hovered above normal in Haryana. Ambala recorded the minimum at 10.3 degrees, three degrees above normal.

Hissar recorded a low of 11.1 degrees which was five degrees above normal. Karnal registered 9.8 degrees two degrees above 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 0.3 degrees.

Kullu valley was also under the impact of cold climatic following further drop in the temprature. The minimum stayed at 1.4 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu district and to 5.1 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district.

Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions although the capital town recorded 5.2 degrees celsius.

Icy-cold winds blew across the town during the day.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also under the imapct of cold weather conditions as the minimum stayed at 6.0 degrees, one degree below nomral.

The Met office predicted light to moderate rain or snow at few places in Himachal Pradesh and light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours. Hailstorm or thundersquall with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region.

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