Cold, sunny day in North but mercury above 35 in parts of South

It was a sunny and cold day in most of north India on Thursday, but several places in the west coast states of Kerala and Karnataka had their maximum temperatures settling above 35 degrees Celsius.

According to the India India Meteorological Department, the maximum temperature at Karnataka's Mangaluru was 39 degrees Celsius, while the minimum was 22. The IMD said Karwar's maximum was 38 degrees Celsius and minimum 23.

In neighbouring Kerala, Kottayam's maximum was 37 degrees Celsius, while its minimum was 23 degrees Celsius. State capital Thiruvananthapuram recorded a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 26 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

Other places in Kerala with their maximums at 35 or beyond were Alapuzha (36), kozhikode (36) Punalur (35).

Private weather forecasting agency Skymet said, "The entire West coast of India comprising the states of Kerala and Karnataka has been witnessing a gradual rise in the day temperatures for the last three days now. In fact, one or two pockets have recorded all-time high temperature for the month of January already."