The Hindu : National : Rain, snow break dry spell in N. India

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 27, 2006
ePaper

National

National

Rain, snow break dry spell in N. India

Cold conditions in J&K, Himachal intensify

Chandigarh: Rain in the plains and snowfall in high-altitude areas broke the dry spell in the northern region on Tuesday and intensified cold conditions in the hill states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

High-altitude areas of Rohtang, Kunzum and Saach passes and Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayan state experienced snowfall while the mid-hills were lashed by rain and high-velocity winds, causing the temperature to drop by six to eight degrees, the weather office said.

In Jammu and Kashmir, fresh snowfall and intermittent rain caused the closure of 300-km Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

While icy winds and rain crippled life in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, Panthal, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Amarnath shrine were covered with a sheet of snow.

Light rains lashed many places in Punjab, Haryana, and the national Capital, ending the dry spell. However, there was no appreciable fall in temperatures, which stayed well above the normal range.

Chandigarh had an overcast sky since morning and the city received light rains during the day. The maximum here settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius and the minimum was recorded at 8 C, the Meteorological department said.

Ambala, Hisar and Karnal in Haryana received light rain.

In Punjab, Amritsar, which saw a drop in Maximum temperature, Ludhiana and Patiala recorded spells of rain. Winter rains in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Sriganganagar districts brought cheer to Rajasthan farmers growing Rabi crop.

The mid hills were lashed by rain and high-speed winds causing a drop of six to eight degrees Celsius in many parts of the Himalayan state, they said.

Kalpa and Keylong recorded 5 cm of snow, Udaipur and Dhundi 6 cm each.

The minimum temperatures dipped to 0.4 C in Bhuntar, minus 1.8 C in Kalpa, 1.6 C in Sundarnagar and 5.7 C in Shimla, which also received 2 mm of rainfall.

The met office has forecast more spells of snowfall and rain in the next few days.

People preferred to remain away from Vidhan Sabha here where the winter session of Himachal Pradesh Assembly has started.

Cheers in Rajasthan

Winter rains in parts of Rajasthan brought cheers in farmers who are currently engaged in the rabi crop season.

Due to a western disturbance coupled with upper air cyclonic system over Rajasthan since last night, precipitation occurred in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Sriganganagar districts in the range of one to two mm, Met office said.

Cloudy and misty weather continued to cause cold conditions in north-west of the State.

Pilani and Rawatbhatta were the coldest places with a minimum of seven degree Celsius each last night.

The mercury has risen by 3 to 4 degree Celsius at many places due to clouds and the minimum temperature ranged between 9 to 16 degree Celsius at Bharatpur, Jaipur, Kota, Bundi, Udaipur, Barmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Ajmer. -- PTI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National