One killed in fog-related accident; cold wave intensifies in region

Chandigarh, Dec 30 (UNI) One person was killed in a fog-related accident and cold wave intensified in north-west India with the mercury dipping to 0.9 degrees Celsius at Ludhiana in Punjab today.

One person was killed and three others injured in a collision between two jeeps due to fog at Bhoota village in Sangrur district.

With this death, as many as twelve people were killed due to cold and fog-related incidents in Punjab and Haryana so far.

People groaned under biting cold wave even as a dense fog enveloped several areas in the region, including Udhampur, Amritsar, Adampur, Halwara, Ambala, Chandigarh, Sarsawa, Sirsa and Bhatinda, reducing visibility considerably.

The night temperature further fell hovering one to five degree below normal at many places in the region where cold wave conditions are likely to continue for the next two days. Ground frost may occur at many places in Punjab and few places in Haryana in the next two nights, according to the Weather Office here.

A severe coldwave swept parts of Punjab where the mercury dipped to minus 0.9 degree Celsius, five degree below normal, at Ludhiana, turning it the coldest place in the plains.

Amritsar recorded the minimum at 2.4 degree, two degrees below normal, while Patiala registered 3.8 three degree below normal.

The cold wave also lashed Haryana with Ambala recording the minimum at 3.6, three degrees below normal, while Narnaul showed 4.0 and Karnal 4.4 degree, four degrees below normal.

Himachal Pradesh also reeled under cold wave. Piercing cold wave swept the tribal areas where the temperature hovered below freezing point. The mercury fell to 0.6 degree at Bhuntar in Kullu district while Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded 0 degrees Celsius.

However, Himachal's capital Shimla was warmer, recording 5.9 degree, three degrees above normal. Icy-cold winds lashed the town.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also under cold wave conditions with the mercury plummeting four degree below normal. The city recorded the minimum at 3.0 degree.

The Met office predicted mainly sunny days in the region with fog or mist in Haryana and Punjab during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ PA HT1930