Cold wave intensifies in Himachal Pradesh

New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) The cold wave intensified in Himachal Pradesh following snowfall in the higher reaches, while in the plains of Punjab and Haryana, night temperatures continued to remain two to three degrees above normal today.

Bright sunshine brought relief to the residents of Shimla, and the tourists who had thronged Kufri, Narkanda and Manali after yesterday's snowfall. The sun also brought relief in the plains of the North West, after a wet day yesterday, following widespread rain.

The higher reaches of the tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh had another fresh spell of snowfall, resulting in icy cold winds sweeping across the lower and mid hills of the state. The minimum temperature in Kalpa dropped to minus 6.3 degrees celsius, after the town in the tribal belt received 5.9 mm snow.

Snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges resulting in a cold wave gripping the picturesque Kangra valley.

The 300-km Srinagar-Jammu national highway, has been thrown open for traffic after remaining closed for two days due to landslides triggered by rains and snow.

The toll due to cold mounted to 46 in Uttar Pradesh following the death of two persons in the last 24 hours.

The marked rise in the temperature accompanied by bright sunshine continued in the state.

The temperature hovered above normal in Kanpur, Lucknow, Jhansi, Faizabad, Allahabad and Bareilly divisions, the met office said.

In the capital, a dense fog enveloped the skyline, leading to a sharp reduction in visibility during the morning hours.

Visibility levels plummeted to below 100 m leading to the cancellation of more than 17 flights including an international one while 31 others were diverted at the IGI airport.

The dense fog also caused traffic jams in several parts of the city.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan is likely to usher in a chilly New Year as temperatures are spiralling downwards accompanied with icy winds and a cloud cover.

The rains which hit some parts of the state yesterday, has ushered in the cold, damp feeling making people load heavy woollens.

Manipuris have experienced a chill in the air with minimum temperature touching five degree Celcius.

Met officials said the maximum temperature was recorded at 24 degree Celcius while the minimum was five degree Celcius.

UNI TEAM LS HT1925