Mercury slides in north; Cold wave grips HP

Temperatures were recorded below normal levels across the north today with the mercury dipping lower than the 10-degree mark for the first time this season in Delhi even as cold wave conditions intensified in Himachal Pradesh.
The minimum in the national capital was recorded at 9 degrees Celsius, four notches below normal, while the maximum was recorded at 27.4 degrees, one point below the normal. Humidity in air oscillated between 24 and 80 per cent during the day.
Higher up, in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh, cold wave conditions further intensified in the middle and higher reaches of the state as the mercury dropped further by three to five degrees.

While Keylong and Kalpa in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a minimum of -2.1 and 2.2 degrees, Manali, Bhuntar and Sundernagar, too, shivered under the piercing cold as the mercury plummeted three to four degrees below normal. Shimla saw the mercury settle at 8.6 degrees.
The high altitude tribal areas and mountain passes reeled under biting cold wave conditions with the minimum staying between -6 and -10 degrees.
All natural sources of water like lakes, springs and rivulets have been frozen for the past two weeks, resulting in a sharp reduction in the discharge of water of the snow-fed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers and affecting hydro-power generation.

In the plains, the two neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana saw day temperatures hovering below normal limits at most places.

Day temperatures were recorded between one and two degrees Celsius below the normal in most parts of Punjab and Haryana, the MeT office said.
The maximum in Ambala was at 26 degrees, two notches below normal, with the Union Territory of Chandigarh registering a similar dip to record a high of 26.5 degrees.
The day temperature in Amritsar was at 26.8 degrees, one notch below normal, while Patiala saw the maximum settle at 27.4 degrees, which was again one point below normal.

The MeT office has forecast sunny days with mist or haze in the morning in Punjab and Haryana over the coming two days.