North India hits a new low on chill pill

NEW DELHI/CHANDIGARH: Delhi is barely surviving the scars whereas Punjab and Haryana have become extremely injury-prone as the winter tightens its vice-like grip around north India.

The minimum temperature in the national capital plummeted to the season’s lowest of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, though weatherman predicted a respite in the next couple of days due to an approaching western disturbance.

“The minimum temperature in the capital is likely to rise by three-four degrees Celsius after 36 hours (December19),” a met official said, adding that there was a possibility of scattered rains on December 20 and 21.

Tuesday’s lowest temperature was the same as on Sunday, 0.2 degrees less than Monday’s 4.6. Monday’s maximum temperature was 21 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal.

The weather conditions, however, did not affect flights and train services as the visibility was clear.

In Haryana and Punjab, there was a deep bite in the air as temperatures plummeted to the season’s lowest at most places and early morning fog reduced visibility.

Adampur in Jalandhar shivered as the mercury dipped to 0.6 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal.

The conditions were slightly better in Ludhiana, where the overnight temperature recorded was 2.2 degrees Celsius, making it the season’s coldest night so far.

Amritsar reeled at 2.6 degrees, down two degrees. Patiala, too, witnessed its coldest night as the lowest temperature fell sharply to 2.6 degrees, four below normal, the met department said.

Piercing cold had the residents of Chandigarh groan as the mercury fell to 3 degrees Celsius, the season’s lowest minimum so far.

Chill prevailed in most parts of Haryana, with Ambala turning out to be the coldest place at 2.9 degrees Celcius. Narnaul and Rohtak recorded minimums of 3 degrees, four below normal, while Hisar had a low of 5.8. Shimla registered a low of 5.1 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.