Cold conditions relents in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, Jan 13 (PTI) People of Punjab and Haryana gotsome respite from intense cold conditions as the minimumtemperature increased by three degrees Celsius even as mostparts of the region remained engulfed under a thick blanket offog today.

There was a marginal increase in minimum temperature inthe region with the mercury hovering between one to threedegrees Celsius below normal, the MeT office said here.

In the plains of two neighbouring states, Ludhiana wascoldest with a low of 2.8 degrees Celsius, which was threenotches below normal.

While Amritsar braved a low of 3.4 degrees Celsius, theminimum temperature at Patiala was 3.9 degrees Celsius, twonotches below normal.

Among other places, Karnal settled at a low of 4.6 degreesCelsius, two notches below normal, followed by 4.9 degreesCelsius at Rohtak and 5.2 degrees Celsius at Chandigarh.

Ambala had a low of 6.2 degrees Celsius whereas Hisarsettled at a low of 6.3 degrees Celsius.

However, a thick blanket of fog reduced visibility atseveral places in the region, including Ambala, Karnal,Rohtak, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Amristar and Pathankot.

In view of reduced visibility, several trains were runninglate, officials said here.

The MeT forecast dry weather during the next two days withfoggy conditions in the region.