Cold conditions continue in northern India

There was no let up in the intense cold conditions in Himachal Pradesh with Shimla recorded 3.2 deg C, while it was minus 1.0 deg C at Bhuntar.

Elsewhere, Solan and Sundernagar touched zero degree mark while Mandi recorded a low of 0.5 deg C. Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district recorded a minimum of minus 5 deg C, while Kalpa in Kinnaur district registered a low of minus 3.4 deg C.

The lower hills, however, were warmer during the day with Sundernagar recording a high of 22.7 deg C, followed by Una at 21.6 deg C and Solan 21.0 deg C.

The Met has predicted rain or snow in high altitude areas of the hilly state in the coming days.

Snowfall in parts of frontier region of Ladakh and cloud cover in the Valley brought an appreciable drop in the night temperature in Jammu and Kashmir.

Leh in frontier region of Ladakh was the coldest place in the state with a minimum of minus 10.2 deg C followed by nearby Kargil which recorded a low of minus 9.2 deg C.

The high altitude areas of Ladakh, including Kargil, received snowfall this morning.

Srinagar also showed an appreciable increase in the night temperature which settled at minus 3.5 deg C today, compared to yesterday's minus 5.4 deg C.

Pahalgam hill resort, which serves as the base camp for the annual Amarnath yatra, recorded a night temperature of minus 1.0 deg C as against minus 5.6 deg C yesterday.

People in Haryana reeling under intense cold conditions over the past few days got some respite as the minimum temperature increased by a few notches, but Punjab continued to remain under the grip of piercing chill.

Bhiwani registered a minimum of 8 deg C, two degrees above normal, while the low at Ambala settled at 7.6 deg C, up by a degree, the Met said here.

The minimum at Chandigarh settled at 6 deg C.

In Punjab, Amritsar continued to reel under biting cold as the low settled at 3.4 deg C, down by a degree. Ludhiana was equally cold at 3.7 deg C, down two notches, while the low at Patiala was 4.1 deg C, also two degrees below normal.

Meanwhile, mercury rose by one to four notches in Rajasthan due to change in upper air circulation.

Dabok recording the lowest temperate of 4.8 deg C, followed by Vanasthali where the night temperature was 5.3 deg C, a Met report said.

Night temperatures would dip during the next 48 hours in the state, according to a Met forecast.