Cold wave conditions intensify in Northern parts

Cold wave has further intensified in North India with National capital recording the lowest maximum temperature in 22 years. In Delhi, the maximum temperature settled 10 notches below the season's average at 12.2 degrees Celsius yesterday. 

According to Met officials, strong and icy cold northwesterly winds from Western Himalayan region along with a thick layer of low clouds is preventing sunlight from reaching the surface leading to a drop in temperatures.

The day temperatures in Punjab and Haryana continued to hover 5 to 8 notches below normal.

In Uttarakhand, the sky remained clear but the biting cold persisted.

In Uttar Pradesh, temperature dropped below normal at most places temperature



affecting normal life. Schools have been closed in several districts including Saharanpur, Bareilly and Pilibhit. In Lucknow, school timing has been changed.

In Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, night temperatures continued to drop after the recent snowfall.

Leh in Ladakh was the coldest recorded place in the region with a night temperature of minus 12.0 degrees Celsius.

In Himachal Pradesh, Manali, Kufri, Keylong and Kalpa shivered at sub-zero temperatures.

The coldest place in the state was Lahaul-Spiti's administrative centre Keylong at minus 16.4 degrees Celsius. Met office has forecast heavy rain and snowfall in the state during the next 3 days.