Minimum temperatures rise in region

Chandigarh, Dec 21 (UNI) People reeled under cold climatic conditions in many parts of northwest India even as the minimum temperatures rose in the region today.

A thick fog enveloped several areas in the region, including Adampur, Halwara, Bhatinda, Sirsa, Suratgarh, Hindon and Palam in Delhi, reducing visibility considerably at these places. The fog, however, disappeared as the day advanced.

The cold wave abated from Punjab and Haryana as the night temperatures markedly rose in the twin states.

However, the holy city of Amritsar in Punjab, where the mercury rose, the minimum stayed below normal by two degrees, recording 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Ludhiana and Patiala reported steep hike in the minimum to 8.0 degrees each from temperatures of 1.6 degrees and 3.7 degrees recorded at respective places yesterday.

In Haryana, the minimum increased to 6.5 degrees from yesterday's 5.0 degrees Celsius at Narnaul in Mahendergarh district, while Hissar registered 7.8 degrees and Rohtak 7.0 degrees, one degree above normal.

The minimum temperatures also soared at Ambala and Karnal but hovered one degree below normal, respectively recording 5.8 degrees and 7.4 degrees Celsius.

Cold wave conditions prevailed in many areas of Himachal Pradesh, where the night temperatures also stayed above normal.

A piercing cold wave swept the tribal districts of Lahaul spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district, where the minimum hovered below freezing point. Kalpa in Kinnaur district showed minus 1.0 degrees.

Kullu valley was under the impact of intense cold. The minimum temperatures dipped to 3.1 degrees, two degrees above normal, at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Sundernagar in Mandi district registered 2.3 degrees and Una 1.3 degrees Celsius.

Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions although the capital town recorded an increase in the temperature from 5.1 degrees to 7.5 degrees, three degrees above normal.

Chandigarh also recorded an increase in the minimum temperature by two degrees. The city registered the minimum at 6.0 degrees celsius.

The met office has predicted partly cloudy days in HimachalPradesh and mainly sunny days in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.

UNI