Cold wave grips north India, temperature to drop in Delhi from today

The weather department said that severe cold wave conditions are likely over parts of Rajasthan from Sunday onwards, and over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, and Delhi from today

As the western disturbance begins to retreat and chilling northeasterly winds from the snow-clad mountains make their way towards the plains the India Metrological Department has predicted cold wave conditions over North India over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh from Monday.

The Saurashtra and Kutch regions and parts of  Karnataka will also witness cold wave conditions on Sunday. Parts of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are expected to see cold wave conditions next week, as well.

Dense fog is expected during the early morning hours in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, and parts of Uttar Pardesh

Large parts of north and northwest India recorded below-normal maximum and minimum temperatures on most days this month before the western disturbance brought relief ab IMD told the news agency.

In Jammu And Kashmir, three avalanches hit Ganderbal And Bandipora districts on Sunday but no loss of life was reported, according to local authorities. They said avalanches warnings had been issued for 12 districts following moderate to heavy snowfall on Friday

Delhi's neighboring state Punjab saw the ongoing cold intensity on Saturday with the mercury dipping in many places. Minimum temperatures hovered close to the freezing point at  Bathonda---0.6 degrees Celcius----and Amritsar---1.2 degrees Celcius. State capital Chandigarh, however, witnessed favorable weather with the maximum temperature being 11.4 degrees Celcius.

In Haryana, Ambala recorded a maximum temperature of 14 degrees Celcius. The maximum temperature in Sirsa at 17.5 degrees Celcius, 15.5 degree Celcius in Hisar, and 14.8 degree Celcius in Rohtak. 

14.7 degree in Bhiwani. In wake of the cold weather the Haryana  givernment Friday extended the winter holidays in all schools in the state till January 21 in view of preveiling cold weather conditions.

According to the IMD, a cold wave is declared in the plains if the minimum temperature dips 4 degrees Celcius or when it is 10 degrees 4.5 notches below normal.

A severe cold wave is when the minimum temperature is 10 degrees Celcius  or below and the maximum temperature is at least 4.5 notches below normal.

A severe cold day is when the maximum temperature is at least 6.5 notches below normal.

Himachal Pradesh witnessed snowfall in various places---23cm of snow in Manali 16cm each in Khadrala and Shillaro, 12cm in Kufri, 10cm in Bharmour, 

6cm each in Shimla and Gondola 4CM IN Dalhousie and  Kalpa and 3cm each in Hansa and Keylong, the Met data showed. 

The weather station in Shimala has predicted dry weather in the region till Wednesday and continued dense and foggy cold waves in the low hills till Tuesday.

In Jammu And Kashmir, night temperatures settled below the freezing point across the valley. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.1 degrees Celcius on Friday night.

The minimum in Kupwara, a frontier district, registered a low of minus 5.9 degrees Celcius. Pahalgam in Anantnag district registered minus 6.00 degrees Celcius.

The minimum temperature at Gulmarg in Baramullah district fell over 10 notches from minus 0.6 degrees Celcius to settled at minus 11 degrees, making it the coldest recorded place in Jammu And Kashmir.

In south India cold wave conditions prevailed in isolated pockets of Karnataka on Saturday the IMD said.