Cold wave persists in Northwest

Chandigarh, Feb 15 (UNI) Cold wave persisted in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh even as the temperature did rise ut was still below normal at most places in the region today.

However, bright sunshine greeted people during the day, providing respite from chilly winds. The night temperatures stayed four degrees to five degrees below normal in the plains.

Despite a rise in the mercury, there was no let up in the cold wave sweeping Punjab. Amritsar turned out to be coldest place in the plains with the minimum temperature settling at three degrees, four degrees below normal, in the holy city.

Cold wave also lashed Ludhiana and Patiala, respectively recording the night temperatures at 4.5 degrees and 5.3 degrees celsius.

The mercury also rose at Admapur, near Jalandhar, recording 3.4 degrees while Halwara Airforce station, near Ludhiana showed 6.0 degrees, Pathankot 6.6 degrees and Bathinda 7.8 degrees celsius.

The cold wave continued to sweep Haryana with the temperature hovering two degrees to five degrees below normal.

Narnaul in Mahendergarh district recorded the minimum at 3.0 degrees, followed by Ambala registering 3.7 degrees, Rohtak 4.5 degrees, Karnal 5.0 degrees and Hissar 6.8 degrees Celsius.

While the mercury increased in the plains, the night temperature dipped by few points in Chandigarh recording 5.2 degrees, four degrees below normal. However, the sun shone clear and bright during the day.

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

Cold wave also prevailed in Himachal Pradesh even as the mercury appreciably increased in the state. Tribal areas of the state were under the impact of intesne cold wave with the mercury hovering below freezing point. Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district recorded the minimum temprature at minus 6.1 degrees.

Cold wave also lashed mid and lower hills of the state.

Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded the minimum at 1.6 degrees while Bhuntar in Kullu district reported 6.0 degrees, two degrees above normal. Una in lower hills registered 1.5 degrees.

The capital town of Shimla was comparatively warmer recording a minimum of 5.6 degrees, three degrees above normal.

The Kashmir valley continued to be in the grip of unabated cold wave with Srinagar recording minus 0.8 degrees while Jammu registered 8.9 degrees, one degree below normal.

The Weather Office has predicted light to modrate rain or snow at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and mainly sunny days in Punjab and Haryana during the next 48 hours.

UNI VKJ MS KP1815