Northwest reels under cold weather

New Delhi, Dec 26 (UNI) Northwest India reeled under cold weather conditions today with many states experiencing low visibility due to thick fog.

In Punjab, Amritsar remained the coldest place, with 2.8 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, followed by Ludhiana with 4.4 degrees and Patiala 5.8 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature also hovered one degree to two degrees Celsius below normal in Haryana, with Ambala and Karnal recording 6.2 degrees and 6.4 degrees celsius, respectively. However, the minimum hovered above normal at Rohtak, recording 8.7 degrees and Narnaul, 7.0 degrees Celsius.

Chandigarh, on the other hand, enjoyed a bright sunshine with the minimum temperature at 8.2 degrees, two degrees above normal.

The Met office mainly predicted sunny days in Punjab and Haryana during the next 48 hours with ground frost likely to occur at a few places.

Several areas, including Udhampur, Adampur, Ambala, Hindon and Palam in Delhi, experienced low visibilty due to thick fog enveloping these regions.

In Himachal Pradesh, cold wave conditions prevailed with Shimla recording 5.0 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal. Other areas, including Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, Pangi and Bharmour areas in the Chamba district, had the minimum hovering below freezing point. In Kullu, the minimum dipped to zero degrees at Bhuntar and to 0.3 degrees at Sundernagar in Mandi district. However, the weather remained static at 2.2 degrees at Una, while Kalpa in Kinnaur district showed minus 2.2 degrees.

The Northeast had no respite either, as the Mercury level dipped in Manipur, with the minimum temperature falling further to three degrees Celsius.

Bihar, however, enjoyed a cool and pleasant day throughout. The local Met office said the day's minimum temperature was recorded at 8.0 degree Celsius, while the maximum temperature was pegged at 24 degree Celsius with the maximum relative humidity being recorded at 88 per cent.

Kolkata also greeted a pleasant weather with a slightly foggy morning. The minimum temperature recorded was 14.8 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, with a maximum of 25.2 degrees Celsius, two degrees below normal, airport Met officials said.

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