Respite for Delhiites as mercury soars

After reeling under cold wave, Delhiites on Wednesday got a welcome respite as mercury soared by over five degrees to settle at 20.9 degree Celsius.

It was, however, a chilly morning as shallow fog enveloped the national capital during the early hours. The minimum was recorded at 4.4 degree Celsius, three notches below normal and up from Tuesday’s 3.3 degrees, the MeT department said.

The conditions got better as the day progressed and people were seen enjoying the sun. The winds too were not as chilly as they have been over the past 10 days.

The maximum temperature,which was 15.4 degree Celsius on Tuesday, rose to 20.9 degrees Celsius. Rail and air traffic remained normal. The weatherman has forecast mostly clear skies with shallow fog in the morning for Thursday. The minimum and maximum temperature would be hovering between 5 and 21 degree Celsius respectively, it said.

UP shivers

Though a bright sunshine greeted the people in some parts of the state, Uttar Pradesh continued to be in the grip of intense cold wave conditions with the death toll from cold in the state crossing the 200 mark. Minimum temperature fell to below zero degree at many places, forcing the authorities to close the educational institutions till 12th up to January 12.

Temperature dipped at Agra, Lucknow, Muzaffarnagar and Kanpur towns, according to the Met office. On Tuesday, the temperature in Lucknow dipped to -0.2 degree Celsius, which was the lowest in 49 years.