Amritsar records minus 1.0 degrees celsius

Chandigarh, Feb 1 (UNI) Cold wave continued unrelentingly in the north-west India today with Amritsar and Adampur recording the night temperatures at minus 1.0 degrees celsius.

The minimum temperatures hovered two degrees to six degrees celsius below normal even as the mercury rose at certain places in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh Union Territory.

Cold wave persisted in Punjab and lashed Amritsar and Adampur with greater intensity following further decline in the mercury. The minimum dipped to minus 1.0 degrees celsius at Amritsar and Adampur, near Jalandhar, which was six degrees below normal in the holy city.

Ludhiana and Patiala also reeled under the cold wave with the minimum staying low, respectively recording 2.1 degrees and 3.2 degrees, five degrees down.

Cold wave also swept Haryana with the minimum temperatures declining by two degrees to six degrees below normal. The mercury settled at 1.3 degrees at Narnaul, 1.6 degrees at Ambala, 2.4 degrees at Karnal and 5.1 degrees celsius at Hissar.

Cold wave persisted unabated in Himachal Pradesh with tribal areas experiencing extreme cold wave conditions. Kalpa in Kinnuar district recorded a night temperature of minus 10.0 degrees celsius.

Cold wave conditions prevailed in Mandi, Kullu and Kangra districts. Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded the minimum at minus 1.8 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district reported 1.8 degrees, four degrees below normal.

Icy-cold winds lashed the capital town of Shimla with the night temperature hovering at minus 0.4 degrees celsius.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana also reeled under severe cold wave even as the minimum slightly rose to 3.4 degrees which was, however, still four degrees below normal.

Cold wave tightened its grip in the Kashmir valley following further decline in the mercury with Srinagar recording minus 6.4 degrees celsius. Jammu was a little warmer with the minimum settling at 3.4 degrees, five degrees below normal.

Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions prevailing in most parts of Punjab, many parts of Haryana and some parts of Himachal Pradesh are likely to abate in the next two days, according to the Weather Office here.

It warned of ground frost formation at most places in Punjab and few places in Haryana tonight.

The Met Office predicted mainly sunny days in the region in the next 24 hours. After 24 hours rain or snow may occur at many places in Himachal Pradesh and rain or thundershower at few places in Punjab and isolated places in Haryana with marked rise in night temperatures.

UNI VKJ BP1731