Biting cold wave in Punjab, Haryana
Intense cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts of Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday with Narnaul being the coldest place in both the states at 1.4 degrees Celsius. Narnaul in Haryana recorded a low of three notches below the normal. Hisar was another place where the mercury settled below the 2 degrees Celsius-mark. It registered a minimum temperature of 1.7 degrees Celsius, five notches below the normal. Among other places in the state, Ambala, Karnal and Rohtak experienced cold conditions at 7.8, 6.5 and 5 degrees Celsius, respectively, an official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Bhiwani and Sirsa reeled under cold conditions at 2.8 and 3.4 degrees Celsius, respectively. Chandigarh, the joint capital of both states, recorded a low of 5.7 degrees Celsius.
SRINAGAR : Intense cold grip continues in Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar, which recorded its lowest temperature in eight years, shivered at a low temperature of minus 7.8 °Celsius, an official of the meteorological department said.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light snowfall for Kashmir for the next two weeks.
With snow around the city especially the forests and mountains capped with snow, a cold wave has gripped the entire Kashmir.
IMD director Sonum Lotus said that Srinagar recorded the coldest night of the season with minus 7.8° Celsius.
“The same temperature was recorded on January 14, 2012. This time it was recorded in the mid of harsh winter also known as ‘ Chilai Kalan’.
He said that the weather will remain dry till January 20. “There is no forecast of heavy snow or rainfall till January 27. However, light rain and snowfall are likely in the region,” he added.
Last night, the tourist resort of Gulmarg recorded minus 10° Celsius. Jammu recorded 7.8° Celsius.
The roads in Srinagar froze due to icy weather and drivers faced problems, however, as the day progressed due to sunshine the snow started to melt. At several places across Kashmir, water bodies including a portion of Dal lake froze.
In the last two months, Kashmir has witnessed five spells of snow, however, last week’s snowfall was the heaviest as many parts of south Kashmir recorded four to six feet of snow.
No let- up in intense cold in Himachal
There was no let- up in the intense cold conditions in the north and northwestern parts of the country on Wednesday.
The MET department has issued a yellow warning for dense fog in five districts of Himachal till January 16.
Keylong continues to be the coldest place in the state at minus 11.4°C. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded a low of minus 2.6°C. State’s MET director Manmohan Singh said, “Dense fog will occur in the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi.”
Meanwhile, the state capital Shimla recorded a low of 5.7°C and the tourist resorts of Kufri and Dalhousie 7° C and 7.6° C, respectively.
Manali shivered at 1° C and Palampur and Dharamshala recorded 2.5° C and 3.6° C, respectively. Solan was the warmest at 24.2°C.
The weather will remain dry throughout the state till January 18.