Thursday, January 20 2005 22:38 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Cold wave further intensified in North India today (Jan 20, 2005), with mid and higher hills in Himachal Pradesh reeling under sub-zero climes and Amritsar in Punjab recording its coldest day ever, even as large parts of Madhya Pradesh were hit by a fresh spell of chill.

Cold northwesterly winds kept the mercury down in the national capital, with the minimum temperature recorded at 5.8 degree Celsius. Respite from fog continued and a light mist in the morning failed to hamper visibility.

The sudden dip in temperature was due to the fresh spell of cold wave blowing across the northern plains, a Met official said.

In Punjab, Amritsar recorded its coldest day ever so far as the mercury plunged to minus 2.6 degrees celsius, a record eight degrees below normal. "The last time the minimum temperature at Amritsar had fallen so low was on January 6, 1972. That day it was minus 2.4 degrees Celsius," Director, Meteorological Department, Delhi, R D Singh told sources in New Delhi.

Many other towns in Punjab and Haryana also came under the grip of cold and Ludhiana and Patiala braved the chill recording respective minimums at 4.6 degree C and 4.7 degree C. Ambala recorded a low of 3.6 degree C, down three degrees.

There was little respite for people in Kashmir valley as in Srinagar, residents groaned under a sub-zero temperature of 3.8 degree C, down two degrees.