Mercury rises in plains, cold wave continues in Himachal

Delhiites experienced a warm and cloudy weather as the minimum temperature settled six notches above normal at 14.1 degrees Celsius.

The maximum temperature in the national capital stood at 23.5 degrees, one degree above normal.

In Punjab and Haryana, The minimum temperatures hovered a few notches above normal, with fog reducing visibility in two states.

The maximum temperatures in Chandigarh and Ambala stood normal at 22.3 and 21.9 degrees.

The overnight temperature in Chandigarh settled at 10 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal, followed by Ludhiana and Patiala 10.2 and 10.6 degrees respectively, the MeT office said.

In Haryana, Hisar recorded a low of 10.7 degrees Celsius, settling three notches above normal.

Himachal continued to be in the grip of cold waves due to rain and snowfall, even though minimum temperatures rose marginally in the region.

Keylong remained coldest with a low of minus 6.6 degrees while Manali and Kalpa recorded a low of minus 1.6 degree and minus 1.2 degree.

Bhuntar and Sundernagar, however, recorded minimum temperature at 5.0 and 6.5 degrees, three degree above normal.

The high altitude areas remained worst affected as freezing of dams and reservoirs due to sharp decline in temperatures affected hydro-power generation.

Meanwhile, the 300-km long Jammu-Srinagar national highway was reopened today for one-way traffic movement after remaining close for the last three days due to snowfall and landslides.