People shiver under cold climatic conditions in region

Chandigarh, Jan 5 (UNI) People shivered under cold climatic conditions following fresh snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh even as the mercury rose in the northwest plains today following a cloudy weather.

Several areas, including Ambala and Sarsawa, experienced fog while Bhatinda, Sirsa and Halwara reported mist in the morning.

The fog and mist, however, disappeared as the day advanced.

High altitude areas in tribal district of Lahaul Spiti and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh had another spell of snowfall since last night.

The entire tribal belt was under the impact of freezing cold wave conditions with Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur disrict recording the minimum temperature at minus 1.0 degrees.

The 13050-foot high Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, also had moderate snowfall, intensifying cold conditions in Kullu district.

However, the minimum temperature rose to 3.0 degrees at Bhuntar in Kullu district while Sundernagar in Mandi district registered 3.4 degrees and Una showed 4.0 degrees.

The minimum stayed above normal at most places in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh in the wake of cloudy weather. However, chilly winds swept most parts of the region as the Pale yellow Sun played hide and seek during the day.

In Punjab, the minimum rose at Ludhiana and Patiala but dipped at Amritsar, respectively recording 8.0 degrees, 6.1 degrees and 1.2 degrees celsius. The night temperature hovered three degrees below normal in Amritsar, turning the holy city as the coldest place in the plains.

Adampur Airbase, near Jalandhar was cold at 4.8 degrees celsius, whereas Halwara Airbase, near Ludhiana, recorded a low of 6.2 degrees and Bhatinda eight degrees. The border town of Pathankot showed seven degrees celsius.

The night temperatures also increased in Haryana with Karnal showing 6.8 degrees, Ambala 5.4 degrees, Rohtak 6.2 degrees and Hissar 8.6 degrees celsius. The minimum increased to 3.5 degrees at Narnaul but hovered two degrees below normal.

Dense clouds enveloped Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana in the morning. The city recorded the minimum at 6.6 degrees delsius.

The minimum also showed upward movement in Delhi where Safdarjung recorded 6.4 degrees celsius which was, however, one degree below normal.

The Weather office predicted light to moderate rain or snow at few places in Himachal Pradesh and light o moderate rain thundershowers at few places in Punjab and isolated places in north Haryana during the next 48 hours.

UNI VKJ BDP HT1727