Coldwave grips North India: Shimla records minus 3.2 degrees, temperature in plains to further dip in next 48 hours

The sudden dip in temperature across the region is due to the northwest dry cold winds, which have replaced the humid easterlies.

Shimla, Jan 11: Shimla recorded a six-year low temperature of minus 3.2 degrees on Wednesday. The icy weather in Himachal Pradesh has led to the lives of 10 people. The temperatures across northern India are expected to further dip in the next 48 hours, said Indian Meteorological Department. Apart from the bone-chilling weather in the hills, the plains would also be subjected to further dip in temperatures.

Apart from Shimla, another prominent tourist destination in Himachal, Manali, recorded temperature of minus 5.5 degree celsius. Manali’s maximum temperature was recorded as 2.8 degree celsius, which is eight degrees below normal. Possibility of widespread snowfall in Himachal Pradesh on January 15th and 16th, heavy snowfall in some parts,” said Himachal Pradesh MeT chief Manmohan Singh.

Coldwave grips North India

The cold season in northern India appeared subdued till December, with the dip in temperatures being reportedly above the annual normal. However, the season took a chilling turn over the past week, with dry cold northwest winds, replacing the humid easterlies. The northwest cold winds blowing over Afghanistan struck the region of Gilgit, Baltistan, PoK and Kashmir.

With snowfall continuing over the past 10 days, temperatures have acutely dropped in Kashmir Valley. The lowest temperatures on Wednesday were recorded in Pahalgam, minus 12.4 degrees, and Gulbarg witnessed a low of 13 degrees. The minimum temperature in Srinagar came was recorded at minus 4.1 degrees, whereas, the maximum temperature was 6.4.

Coldwave continued to prevail in Uttarakhand, with temperatures dipping as low as 4 degree celsius in Dehradun. Schools have been closed till Saturday.

Freezing Plains

Poll-bound Punjab is facing the most scathing winters among the non-hilly states of north. The coldest temperature was recorded in Amritsar, where the mercury fall as low as 0.9 degree celsius. Ludhiana recorded 1.6 degrees, whereas, Chandigarh came as low as 2.4 degrees in the night.

The minimum temperature in Delhi has been wavering around 4 degree celsius. Doctors have recommended small children and elders to avoid morning walks due to the freezing temperatures and cold winds blowing. The temperature is expected to further dip till January 13, MeT said.

In Uttar Pradesh, cold winds were experienced over the past week. The temperatures have been wavering around the freezing point in Western UP. In state capital Lucknow, the minimum temperature was recorded at 6 degrees. State government has ensured facilities of night shelters to prevent deaths of homeless citizens.

Mercury has also dipped sharply in Rajasthan. The temperature went below-normal in the first week of January. The lowest was recorded in Churu – minus 0.3 degrees, which is 5 degrees below normal. Mount Abu has been shivering at 2.4 degree celsius (as recorded on Wednesday). The minimum in Jaipur was recorded at 3.8 degree celsius, which is 5 degrees below normal.