New Delhi: Over 30 people died in Uttar
Pradesh due to cold wave as foggy conditions prevailed for the
second successive day on Sunday in many parts of the northern
region with some states also experiencing light showers.
As many as 33 people died due to intense cold conditions
in UP since last night taking the death toll to 74 in the
state this winter.
While six persons died in Mirzapur, five deaths were each
reported from Ballia and Banda, four from Kanpur dehat, three
from Muzaffarnagar, two each from Sonbhadra, Hamirpur,
Fatehpur and Chandauli, and one each from Farukkhabad and
Unnao, official sources said.
Meanwhile, a day after dense fog engulfed the region and
caused power blackouts, flight and train disruptions, states
like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and some parts of Jammu and
Kashmir recorded a slight rise in night temperature.
In the national capital, visibility improved and flight
operations remained normal due to a clear sky. Yesterday the
visibility reduced to season`s lowest of 50 metres. However,
train services continued to be disrupted.
The city experienced drizzle in the morning but recorded
a low of 9.5 degrees Celsius against yesterday`s minimum of
8.4 degrees. However, foggy conditions are likely to continue.
Meanwhile, white flakes covered several parts of Kashmir
valley today, the second snowfall this season. Earlier the
valley experienced a snowfall on the second week of November.
In Punjab and Haryana, cold wave abated slightly but a
thick blanket of fog continued to affect normal life. Light
showers drenched places like Chandigarh, Hisar, Karnal,
Rohtak, Ludhiana and Patiala. Amritsar in Punjab continued to
freeze, recording a low of 0.8 degrees.
Fog continued to engulf the region throwing normal life
out of gear. All incoming and outgoing flights from Chandigarh
were cancelled due to bad weather conditions. Train services
were also affected due to poor visibility.
Meanwhile mercury rose by a few notches in certain parts
of the region. The low in Chandigarh rose to 8.6 degree
Celsius, three notches above normal, while that in Ambala
settled at 8.3 C, up by two degrees, and Hisar at 10.7 C, six
degrees above normal.
In Rajasthan, drizzle drenched many parts including Mount
Abu, Barmer, Jalore Pilani, Sikar, Jodhpur, Churu, Bikaner,
Churu, Kota, Jaipur, Dabok and Chittorgarh.
Ganganagar was the coldest in the state, recording a low
of 5.6 degree Celsius followed by Mount Abu (7 C).
Meanwhile, people in Jammu and Kashmir got some relief
from cold conditions as mercury rose slightly in many parts.
Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.2 C against
yesterday`s minus 4.8 degrees, Qazigund minus 3.5 C(against
-5.5), Pahalgam minus 3.0 C(against -6.9), Kokernag minus 1.7
C (against -2.8) and Kupwara minus 0.4 C(against -4.8).
However, Leh continued to shiver at minus 17.0 C and
Kargil minus 10.4 C, the Met office said.
Many high altitude areas like famous hill resorts of
Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Yousmarg received moderate to
heavy snowfall. Srinagar and adjoining areas too experienced
light to moderate snowfall.
Winter capital Jammu recorded a low of 6.5 degrees today
as against 4.5 C yesterday.