Tuesday, December 20 2005 12:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Thick blanket of fog enveloped the national capital early this morning, reducing visibility to as low as 200 meters, while intense cold wave conditions persisted with mercury hovering below five degrees celsius.

The fog, which descended on the capital after 5:30 AM thickened later and continued for over four hours, causing trouble to the early-morning travelers. However, rail and air traffic were not affected.

The minimum temperature in the city was recorded at 4.3 degrees celsius, around four degrees below normal for this time of the season, while the maximum was 21.6 degrees, the Meteorological Department said.

The minimum temperature during the same period last year was nine degrees celsius while the maximum was 25 degrees, it said.

In the last few days, temperatures have been recorded at several notches below normal in Delhi, with cold wave conditions persisting across north India.

According to the Met Department's forecast for tomorrow, the minimum temperature in Delhi will stay around seven degrees Celsius, while there could be mist or shallow fog in the morning hours.