Normal life disrupted as cold wave intensifies in North India. Mercury dips below freezing point at some places in Rajasthan and Haryana.
National capital and a few places in Jammu and Kashmir recording the lowest temperature for January in three years.
The mercury dipped below the freezing point at many areas in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan as well.
Cold wave continues in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is facing severe cold for last twenty four hours. Minimum temperature is hovering between close to zero to 7 degree celsius in the state for last twenty four hours.
The state capital Lucknow recorded lowest of point one degree celsius which is 7 degree celsius below normal. While several other places in state recorded minimum temperature less than 3 degree celsius.
The met department director J P Gupta told media that snow fall in hilly areas and north western cold winds are the main cause of this biting cold. He said, the temperature may increase marginally in next twenty four hours but there will be no respite from cold.
In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions are continued as most of the places have registered temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. Three places recorded temperatures near one degree or zero degree Celsius.
Sikar district was coldest place in the state as it has registered minus 1 degree Celsius temperature. It was followed by Mount Abu with 0.5 degree and Churu with 1 degree Celsius. According to MeT department Sriganganagar Alwar, Pilani, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Bundi, and Jaipur recorded temperatures between 2 to 3 degrees Celsius.
Delhi continues to shiver under cold wave
Intense cold conditions continued in the national capital today even though mercury registered a slight increase. The minimum temperature today settling at 4.3 degrees Celsius and the maximum temperature was recorded at 19.5 degree Celsius.
Cold winds added to the weather condition even as poor visibility in the morning affected rail services. The flight operations remained largely unaffected. Meterological department has predicted partly cloudy skies tomorrow. Moderate to dense fog has been forecast for the morning.
No respite from cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh
In Himachal Pradesh, the unprecedented cold wave conditions continue despite crystal clear sky and bright sunshine. There is no improvement in sub-zero temperatures at various places and the people are reeling under severe cold wave throughout the state.
The official machinery in far flung and interior areas is working continuously to restore the normal life affected by last week’s snowfall.
The met department has predicted heavy snowfall and rain on January 15th and 16th as a fresh western disturbance would again hit the Himalayan region from tomorrow.
Meanwhile, two rescue teams of nearly twenty five members are on the way to search the missing students in the far flung Shikari Devi area of Mandi district. The four students were on trekking in the area when trapped in bad weather.
The team members have taken two different routes from district headquarters Mandi in the morning and are expected to reach Shikari Devi by the afternoon after covering nearly eight kilometer distance on foot. The team members include policemen, mountaineering institute experts and some local people.
Meanwhile in Shimla the senior government officials are daily reviewing the situation but the lack of man power in departments like Electricity, Irrigation and Public Health and Public Works Department is the main hindrance in restoration of basic essential services.