Rain drenched plains of Northern region where mercury rose by few notches today while heavy snowfall threw normal life out of gear in Kashmir, snapping the road and air links between the Valley and rest of the country.
Intermittent light showers continued throughout the day in Delhi, though mercury rose in the city, bringing respite from intense cold. The city received average one millimetre of rain during the day while the Ridge area received the maximum of 6.4 ml of rains.
The maximum temperature in the city was recorded at 17.8 degree Celsius, three notches below the normal while the minimum temperature was 12 degree Celsius, four notches above the normal. Yesterday, the maximum temperature was recorded several notches below normal at 14.6 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature was recorded at 10.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal. In the upper hills, Jammu and its adjoining areas witnessed heavy overnight rains while snowfall threw normal life out of gear in Kashmir, snapping the road and air links.
Electricity supply across the Valley was also suspended due to the fresh bout of snowfall which began last evening. Vehicular traffic from Jammu-Srinagar national highway has been suspended due to slippery road conditions in Jawahar tunnel and Patnitop areas. Flights to and fro Srinagar have also been put off for the time being. Fresh snowfall was recorded in Srinagar, hills of Kishtwar, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Reasi, Ramban and Bhaderwah Valley.
The fresh snowfall, however, brought much-needed respite to the Valley residents from the intense cold wave as minimum temperature increased in most parts. Temperatures in Srinagar recorded at 0.2 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund registered a low of minus 0.2 degrees Celsius. However, in Himachal Pradesh cold wave conditions further intensified during the day as the state received intermittent rains and snow accompanied by high velocity icy winds.The sky remained heavily overcast and strong winds swept the region while intermittent moderate rains lashed the mid hills causing sharp fall in day temperature.
The high altitude tribal areas, Kunzam, Saach and Rohtang passes and Churdhar and Dhauladhar ranges in Sirmaur and Kangra districts received intermittent snowfall, intensifying the cold wave conditions in the adjoining Valleys. The maximum temperatures dropped by few notches and Shimla recorded a low of 8.5 degree against yesterday’s 14.0 degree while Una and Nahan recorded a high of 14.4 degree and14.1 degree, followed by Bhunter13.5 degree and Dharamshala12.8 degree. The minimum temperature, however, rose marginally in the hill state.