Mercury drops in hilly areas; Kargil freezes at -14ºC

Mercury hovered above normal levels at the plains, with Delhi witnessing clear skies and registering a high of 22.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 10.2 degrees Celsius, three notches above the season’s average. The visibility was recorded at 2000 meters at 5.30 AM which significantly dropped to 200 meters at 8.30 AM and 11.30 AM. However, it increased to 3000 meters at 2.30 PM.

Minimum temperatures continued to remain several notches above normal level in most parts of Punjab and Haryana as mercury remained in double digits in some areas.

Amritsar continued to remain the coldest place in the two states, registering a low of 4.2 degrees, up by one degree, whereas Chandigarh registered a low of 10.2 degrees, five notches above normal.

In Haryana, Ambala and Hisar registered their minimum at 11.8 degrees and 11.1 degrees, six notches above normal.

In Uttarakhand, overnight snowfall in the hills and isolated light showers accompanied by icy winds in the lower areas added to the chill, with Mukteshwar in Nainital district freezing at minus 1 degree Celsius.

Heavy snowfall hit Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi for hours last night bringing Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines located in these districts under layers of snow.

Chopta and Rudranath peaks in Chamoli district besides Hemkund Sahib, Nandadevi Bio-sphere Reserve and Auli were covered under fresh snow even as icy winds swept the whole of the district. 

Light snowfall was also recorded at Nagtibba, Buranshkhanda Surkandadevi and Dhanolti near Mussoorie.