Night temperatures appreciably rise in region

Chandigarh, Jan 22 (UNI) Night temperatures appreciably rose in many areas in the north-west India, staying one degree to four degrees celsius above normal in the region today.

Certain areas, including Hindon and Sarsawa experienced foggy weather in the morning. The fog disappeared as the day advanced.

It was a warm day for the people of the region even as a bright sunshine gave way to overcast sky in some areas during the day.

Although the mercury showed its upward movement in Punjab, the minimum temperature dipped at the holy city of Amritsar from 8.0 degrees to 6.8 degrees celsius.

However, the night temperatures rose to 11.5 degrees at Ludhiana and to 13.0 degrees at Patiala which recorded 8.1 degrees and 9.5 degrees celsius respectively yesterday. Adampur, Pathankot and Bhatinda also showed an increase in the temperatures, recording the minimum at 12.0 degrees, 14 degrees andd 13.4 degrees celsius respectively.

The mercury also soared in Haryana where the minimum hovered four degrees above normal at many places. Karnal recorded the minimum temperature at 14.4 degrees, followed by Hissar registering 12.7 degrees, Ambala 9.4 degrees and Narnaul 10.2 degrees celsius.

The mercury also increased in Himachal Pradesh even as higher reaches experienced snowfall last night. Biting cold wave continued in the tribal areas of the state with the night temperature remaining static at minus 2.1 degrees at Kalpa in Kinnaur district.

Lower and mid hills of the state also recorded a rise in the night temperatures. Dharamsala, headquarters of Kangra district, recorded the minimum temprature at 9.5 degrees while Nahan, headquarters of Sirmour district, registered 13.0 degrees.

The minimum also increased at Mandi, Bhuntar and Una respectively recording 8.5 degrees, 7.7 degrees and 6.3 degrees celsius.

Shimla and its adjoining areas also recorded a rise in the night temperatures with the capital town recording 7.6 degrees against 5.9 degrees celsius registered yesterday.

The night temperature also rose in Chandigarh which was swept by strong winds during the day. The city recorded the minimum temperature at 12.8 degrees celsius which was four degrees above normal.

The weather Office has predcited light to moderate rain or snow at many places in Himachal Pradesh and light to moderate rain or thundershowers at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 48 hours.

Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the period.

UNI VKJ VN1708