M A I N   N E W S

Cold wave conditions grip North India
More snow in J&K, HP

New Delhi, January 2
After a brief respite, chill was back in North India with mercury dipping in most parts, including the national capital, and frigid conditions prevailing in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh after fresh snowfalls. A cold-related accident claimed two lives in the region.

Two persons were killed when a Food Corporation of India (FCI) truck was crushed under a landslide triggered by rain and snowfall on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway today.

The 300-km highway, which was briefly opened, was closed to vehicular traffic this afternoon following fresh snowfall.

High altitude areas surrounding Kashmir valley came under a thick blanket of snow, while plains were lashed by intermittent rains for the second successive day.

After sparing Delhiites for a few days, fog returned in the capital affecting train and air services.

Trains cancelled include the Delhi-Sealdah Lal Quila Express and Delhi-Farukhabad Kalindi Express, the Railways said.

Trains running behind schedule include the Mahananda Express and Saryu Yamuna Express.

Domestic flights were also disrupted because of the fog, though no cancellations were announced.

Minimum temperature in the capital dropped to 9 °C from yesterday’s 12 °C.

Uttar Pradesh received its first winter showers with rains lashing Lucknow, Faizabad and Bareilly.

Kanpur recorded a minimum of 10 °C. Cold wave has so far claimed 65 lives in the state and no fresh deaths have been reported today.

The biting cold wave sweeping Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal continued unabated as higher reaches, including Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, Garhwal Himalayas, Joshimath, Gopeswar, received fresh snowfall.

Mercury ranged between -16 and -24 °C.

However, minimum temperature rose by four to five degrees in mid and lower hills.

Mercury went upward in Punjab and Haryana with temperature rising by two to three degrees in Chandigarh, Ambala, Patiala and Ludhiana.

In Uttaranchal, vehicular traffic on the Joshimath-Badrinath, Gopeshwar-Gaurikund routes was suspended following heavy snowfall.

Shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath were also under a thick blanket of snow as bone-chilling winds lashed the state.

Shimla had a clear sky in the morning but icy winds continued to sweep the region causing marginal fall of one degree in the minimum temperature, which stood at 5 °C.

Rohtang, Kunzam and Saach passes in Chamba district received fresh snowfall, further aggravating the cold wave in adjoining valley areas.

Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra, donning a mantle of white snow, presented a dazzling look as morning sun rays fell on the snow-clad pinnacles to the delight of tourists. — PTI