Severe cold wave condition likely in Punjab, Haryana, UP, Raj in coming days

New Delhi: Severe cold wave condition is likely in some pockets over Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan in coming days, the National Weather Forecasting Centre of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said here on Friday. 

The IMD further said that during  the period of December 17 to 30, the minimum temperatures will remain between 2.0?C and 6.0?C over most parts of northwest India. 

These are marked below normal (-5.0?C or less) at isolated places over Jammu  and  Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan  and  Muzaffarabad and Himachal Pradesh; appreciably below normal  (-3.1?C to - 5.0?C)  at a few places over West Rajasthan and West Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places over East Rajasthan, East Uttar Pradesh, Saurashtra  and  Kutch and Haryana, Chandigarh  and  Delhi  and  below normal  (-1.6?C to -3.0?C) at a few places over Punjab and Uttarakhand.

There is no significant change in minimum and maximum temperatures would occur over Northwest India during next two days and rise by 2-3?C in minimum temperatures and 5-6?C in maximum temperatures during subsequent three days, it further said. 

Fall in minimum temperatures by 3-5?C would occur over East Madhya Pradesh, Vidharbha and Chhattisgarh and by 4-6?C over East India during first half of the forecasted period (December 17 to 30). Fall in minimum temperatures by 2-3?C would occur over West India during next two days.

Overall week as a whole, the minimum temperatures would be below normal by 2-6?C over most parts of northwest, central and east India and near normal or slightly above normal over remaining parts of the country during first part whereas cold wave to severe cold wave conditions would occur in some pockets over Punjab, Haryana & Chandigarh, West Uttar Pradesh and north Rajasthan during first half of the period and decrease thereafter.

During later part of the fortnight there would be slight rise in minimum temperatures, however, the minimum temperatures would be below normal by 2-4C over most parts of northwest, central  and  eastern part of India, the IMD said.(UNI)