Mercury further rises in north-west region

Chandigarh, Mar 1 (UNI) Mercury is on an upward trend across the north-west India today, hovering above normal at most places in the region.

Certain areas, including Sarsawa, Ambala, Halwara, Adampur and Palam in Delhi experienced fog while Udhampur, Jammu, Pathankot and Chandigarh reported haze and Bhatinda witnessed mist in the morning.

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

Temperatures rose in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh as the Sun shone bright and clear over the past few days.

In Punjab, the holy city of Amritsar recorded the minimum temperature at 8.5 degrees against 7.4 degrees registered yesterday.

Ludhiana and Patiala, too, recorded a rise in the minimum temperatures, respectively registering 9.1 degrees and 10.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperatures also notched up in Haryana with Narnaul in Mahendergarh district recording 9.0 degrees, one degree below normal, while Karnal registered 9.4 degrees and Ambala 9.5 degrees, two degrees below normal.

The minimum, however, hovered above normal by four degrees at Hissar and one degree at Rohtak respectively recording 14.0 degrees and 10.9 degrees Celsius.

The mercury also soared in Himachal Pradesh with Una registering the minimum at 6.2 degrees, Bhuntar 7.5 degrees, Sundernagar 7.7 degrees, Dharamsala 12.7 degrees and Nahan 16.1 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature appreciably rose at State capital Shimla recording 11.8 degrees, eight degrees above normal.

Night temperature also increased in Chandigarh and its adjoining areas. The city recorded the minimum at 12.0 degrees, two degrees above normal.

Delhi also registered an increase in the minimum temperature with Safderjung recording 11.9 degrees against 10.7 degrees recorded yesterday.

After a severe winter, Kashmir valley also recorded a rise in the mercury with Srinagar recording the minimum at 6.5 degrees, six degrees above normal. Jammu reported the night temperature at 16.2 degrees, five degrees above normal.

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

UNI VKJ JS GT AS1805