Mercury takes cue from Sensex, falls below zero degree

Lucknow, Jan 22 (UNI) Taking cue from Sensex, the mercury fell below zero degree Celsius at Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh, while at least three people died due to cold wave in the last 24 hours.

Sarsawan in Saharanpur recorded the lowest temperature of minus 2.8 degrees, the weatherman said here today.

The minimum temperature plummeted 5-3 degrees below normal at several places in the state.

The latest cold wave deaths were reported from Siddharthnagar and Sant Kabirnagar districts, the reports said.

Other places in UP also recorded considerable dip in mercury due to the icy winds in the last couple of days.

The night temperature fell in Meerut, Allahabad, Varanasi, Faizabad, Lucknow, Bareilly and Jhansi.

Clouds enveloped the state capital of Lucknow, which has been experiencing nipping cold over the past week.

Meerut recorded a minimum temperature of 2.4 degrees, which was 5 degrees below normal.

Besides, Lucknow recorded 4.4 degrees, Bareilly 5.4, Varanasi 5.5 and Jhansi 6.2.

According to a report from Kanpur, the city and adjoining rural areas continued to be in the grip of severe cold wave. The chilly winds blowing since the past three days had affected the normal life.

The sky was cloudy and north-west winds persisting the region.

Meanwhile, experts opined that the present cold wave would be beneficial for the standing Rabi crop.

In the next 24 hrs, thundershowers are likely at some places, which would further pull down the mercury levels.

UNI VS SB HT1634