Mercury dips to 1.2 degrees celsius at Amritsar

Chandigarh, Jan 2 (UNI) People reeled under intensified cold wave in many parts of northwest India as the minimum temperatures continued to stay low in the region today, touching 1.2 degrees Celsius at Amritsar in the plains.

Dense fog enveloped several areas in the region, reducing visibility to zero at Udhampur, Jammu, Pathankot, Adampur, Halwara, Sirsa and Hindon and up to 75 metres at Palam (Delhi), 300 metres at Sarsawa, 400 metres at Chandigarh and 500 metres at Ambala. The fog forced vehicular traffic to move slowly with headlights on at different places in the region.

Cold wave conditions prevailing in parts of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are likely to continue and extend to some parts of Punjab during the next two days, according to the Weather Office here.

Ground frost is likely to occur at few places in Punjab and Haryana during the next two nights.

Cold surface winds blew across the plains in Punjab where the holy city of Amritsar with 1.2 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal, turned out to be the coldest place in plains. Patiala recorded 5.5 degrees, two degrees below normal, and Ludhiana 7.2 degrees Celsius.

In Haryana, the mercury dipped to 3.0 degrees at Narnaul in Mahendergarh district from 4.5 degrees recorded yesterday. However, the temperature slightly rose at Ambala, Karnal and Hissar.

Cold wave conditions continued in many areas of Himachal Pradesh.

A piercing cold wave swept the tribal districts of Lahaul spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district, where the minimum hovered below freezing point. The mercury plummeted to minus 5.6 degrees at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Kullu and Kangra valleys were under the impact of cold wave following further drop in the temprature. The minimum dipped to minus 1.3 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district and to zero degree at Bhuntar in Kullu disrict.

Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold wave conditions with the capital town recording 2.3 degrees Celsius.

People groaned under biting cold wave in Kashmir valley with Srinagar recording minus 2.7 degrees, one degree below normal.

Chandigarh recorded a slight increase in the minimum temperature.

The city registered 6.4 degrees Celsius which was still one degree below normal.

The Met Office has predicted light to moderate rain or snow at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and mainly sunny days with fog or mist in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI