Cold wave prevails over north India due to snowfall and rains

The Cold wave conditions continue unabated in the northern states due to snowfall and rains. In Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh region is experiencing extreme cold as the day temperature dropped to minus 1.3 degree Celsius yesterday. 

The cold desert Ladakh is experiencing severe cold due to an overcast sky and intermittent snowfall at the upper reaches. There was no respite from the bone-biting cold conditions during the daytime also and minus 1.3 degree Celsius was recorded in Leh town yesterday. 

The minimum temperature had settled at minus 10.1 degree Celsius. Severe cold has affected power generation, forcing the authorities for load shedding during day and night and it has also thrown normal life out of gear across the region. 

In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla witnessed second snowfall of the season yesterday. Keylong, Kalpa, Kufri, Dalhousie and Manali are reeling under sub-zero temperatures. 

In Uttar Pradesh, rain



accompanied with hailstorm at some places has intensified cold wave in the entire state. In many districts schools have been closed due to cold weather. "Cold winds swept the state after rain lashing many districts yesterday and hailstorm at some places making it chillier. Rains caused the drop in maximum temperature while minimum temperature remained above normal. 

Two persons lost their lives in Gonda district after lightning struck them while they were working in fields during rain. Hailstorm in Tarai and eastern part of the state has damaged crops badly. Meanwhile, schools till class 12 are closed today in many districts including state capital Lucknow in the wake of fresh rain predictions and chilly weather conditions. 

According to met department, light rain and thundershowers are likely to occur at isolated places over the eastern part of the state during the next 24 hours and dense fog is also very likely in western parts.