New Delhi: Temperatures dropped in many parts of North India and cold wave conditions prevailed in some parts of Himachal Pradesh and dense fog prevailed in most states in the morning. According to the Meteorological Department, light to moderate snowfall occurred in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and light rain also occurred in some parts. The mercury remained between one to five degrees Celsius in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, while the temperature was recorded between 6-10 degrees Celsius in many parts of North-West India. 

The Meteorological Department said that due to the effect of western disturbance, some parts of North-West India may receive rain and snowfall in the coming week. The Meteorological Department said in its bulletin that there is no significant change in the minimum temperature in North-West India during the next 48 hours and after that it will gradually increase by two to three degrees. The department said that dense fog and cold wave prevailed at some places in Bikaner, Jaipur, Kota and Bharatpur divisions in Rajasthan on Friday morning. Mount Abu, the only hill station in the state, remained the coldest with a temperature of 0.8 degree Celsius. In the plains, Sirohi recorded a temperature of 3.8 degree Celsius. Minimum temperature was recorded below 10 degree Celsius in almost all major cities. The temperature in the state capital Jaipur was recorded at 7.8 degree Celsius on Friday morning. 

Cold increased in Kashmir after snowfall

After snowfall, the minimum temperature has dropped at most places in Kashmir and the Meteorological Department has predicted mainly dry weather in the next few days. He said that snowfall occurred on Thursday in the high altitude areas of Kashmir and some plain areas of the valley. Cold conditions prevailed in Kashmir after snowfall and night temperatures dropped at most places. The minimum temperature in Srinagar on Thursday night was recorded at minus 2 degrees Celsius, half a degree higher than the previous night's minus 2.5 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Gulmarg was recorded at minus seven degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Pahalgam, one of the base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra in south Kashmir, was recorded at minus 11.8 degrees Celsius, seven degrees lower than the previous night's minus 4.2 degrees Celsius. 

Severe cold wave in lower areas of Himachal

Severe cold wave conditions prevailed in the lower hill areas of Himachal Pradesh and temperatures dropped by three to five degrees Celsius in some parts. According to the local weather department, light rain occurred at some places. Severe cold wave conditions were observed in Una and Hamirpur, while cold wave conditions were also observed in Barthin and Kangra. Tabo was the coldest during the night, where the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 13.5 degrees Celsius. Cold day conditions were also observed in Punjab and Haryana. 

Pathankot is the coldest in Punjab

In Punjab, Pathankot was the coldest place at 2.8 degrees Celsius. Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal; Patiala recorded 8.4 degrees Celsius, Bathinda seven degrees Celsius, Faridkot 6.9 degrees Celsius and Gurdaspur district 6.5 degrees Celsius. The Union Territory of Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius. In neighbouring Haryana, Ambala recorded a minimum temperature of 8.5 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 10.1 degrees Celsius, Karnal seven degrees Celsius and Narnaul six degrees Celsius. 

Uttar Pradesh in the grip of severe cold

Uttar Pradesh is in the grip of severe cold and fog on Friday morning reduced visibility in many parts. Dense fog affected normal life in the morning, especially in major cities like Lucknow, where it affected road traffic and some trains were delayed by several hours. The effect of cold was quite high in Lucknow due to cloudy weather and cold winds in the morning. The sun came out in the afternoon and brought relief from the severe cold for some time. The maximum temperature during the day was recorded at 24.4 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 8.4 degrees Celsius. Among other places in the state, Etawah recorded the lowest minimum temperature of six degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 8.8 degrees Celsius. The Center's Commission on Air Quality of Delhi-NCR on Friday lifted the restrictions under Phase III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) amid reduction in pollution due to favorable weather conditions.