Cold wave continues unabated in region

Chandigarh, Jan 9 (UNI) The cold wave, currently lashing north-west India, continued unbated even as the mercury appreciably rose in many parts of the region but hovered two degrees to five degrees celsius below normal today.

Certain areas in the region were enveloped in fog reducing the visibility to 100 metres at Hindon, 400 metres at Palam (Delhi) and 800 metres at Bhatinda, Ambala and Halwara.

People groaned under piercing cold wave in Punjab with Amritsar recording minus 0.8 degrees celsius, five degrees below normal, turning as the coldest place in the plains. The minimum also stayed below normal by three degrees at Ludhiana and Patiala, respectively recording 2.4 degrees and 4.0 degrees celsius.

Cold wave also swept Haryana with the minimum temperatures plummeting two degrees to three degrees below normal. The mercury settled at 1.0 degrees at Narnaul in Mahendergarh district, followed by Ambala recording 4.2 degrees and Karnal showing 5.0 degrees.

However, Hissar registered 5.6 degrees, one degree above normal.

Despite night temperatures showing a marginal rise in Himachal Pradesh, cold wave persisted in the hilly state. The cold wave also continued unrelentingly in the tribal areas of the state. Kalpa in Kinnuar district recorded a night temperature of minus three degrees as against minus 4.5 degrees registered yesterday.

Cold wave conditions prevailed in Mandi, Kullu and Kangra districts. Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded the minimum at minus 1.0 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district reported minus 1.5 degrees, two degrees below normal.

Icy-cold winds lashed Shimla although the night temperature jumped to 4.1 degree from 2.8 degrees in the capital town.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana were also under the imapct of cold wave even as the minimum rose in the city to 4.0 degrees which was, however, still three degrees below normal.

The entire Kashmir valley continued to be in the grip of cold wave with Srinagar recording minus 5.3 degrees, three degrees below normal.

Cold wave conditions prevailing in the region are likely to abate during the next two days, but ground frost may occur at few places in Punjab and isolated places in Haryana during the next two nights.

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

UNI