Cold condition continues unabated in Punjab, Haryana

Chandigarh, Jan 18 (PTI) The icy cold conditions continuedunabated in Punjab and Haryana with the minimum temperature inmost parts of the region plummeting to upto four degreesCelsius below normal even as a thick blanket of fog engulfedseveral areas of the two neighbouring states.

The minimum temperature hovered between one to fourdegrees Celsius below normal in the region, the MeT officesaid here today.

In the plains of Punjab and Haryana, Amritsar continued tobe the coldest place with the mercury settling at a bonechilling low of 1.2 degrees Celsius, three notches belownormal.

While Karnal braved a low of 2.6 degrees Celsius, fournotches below normal, the minimum temperature at Hisar settledat a low of 2.7 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal.

Patiala in Punjab shivered at a low of two degreesCelsius, which was four notches below normal.

Among other places, Ludhiana in Punjab and Rohtak inHaryana had an identical low of 3.5 degrees Celsius, threenotches each below normal.

Narnaul shivered at four degrees Celsius, one notch belownormal followed by 4.3 degrees Celsius at Chandigarh, twonotches below normal and 4.4 degrees Celsius at Bhiwani.

Ambala braved a chill of 3.8 degrees Celsius, threenotches below normal.

Besides icy cold wave sweeping the region, several areas,including Ambala, Karnal, Amritsar, Rohtak, Ludhiana andPatiala were blinded by a thick blanket of fog disruptingmovement of vehicular traffic.

The MeT forecast ground frost at night and dry weather inthe region during the next two days.