Cold wave condition sweeps across Bengal

Kolkata, Dec 12 (UNI) A sudden cold spell accompanied by gusty winds gripped West Bengal today with temperature hovering almost at freezing point in the hills of Darjeeling and much below the normal in the plains forcing people to put warm clothes.

Meteorological sources said the day was the coldest one of the year as minimum temperature plummeting to 8.7 degrees Celsius in the plains of Purulia and its neighbouring districts in southern Bengal.

In Birbhum district it was around nine degrees and similar cold weather condition waa in the major parts of six districts of north Bengal.

The Alipore Met officials here said the temperature was normal with 14.3 degrees Celsius and while the maximum was at 24.3 (-3) degrees Celsius.

However, cold winds through out the day made the weather uncomfortable while the maximum humidity was 72 per cent.

The weathermen had forecast a clear sky tomorrow with one degree fall in the temperature. They said there would be slight mist but ruled out foggy conditions.

UNI