Rain intensifies cold conditions

New Delhi, Jan 23 (PTI) Sporadic showers in parts of north India aggravated cold weather conditions sweeping the region, while the weatherman predicted a fresh bout of snow or rain in the Kashmir Valley which is reeling under frigid conditions.

Fog caused travel disruptions in some parts of the plains, where temperatures dipped due to overcast skies.

Not much change was recorded in the frigid temperatures in the Kashmir Valley and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, where water pipes freeze and burst in harsh winters.

Cold weather, coupled with light rain and fog, added to the woes of the people in the national capital.

The city recorded a high of 17 degrees Celsius, and a low of 9.4 degrees Celsius.

The Safdarjung observatory gauged 4.4 mm of rainfall till 5.30 pm. Lodhi Road, Palam, Ridge and Ayanagar recorded 4.7 mm, 1, 1.8 and 5.6 mm of precipitation.

The humidity oscillated between 100 and 69 per cent.

Overcast conditions brightened the chances of a downpour in Kashmir Valley where people are hoping for an end to the month-long dry spell.

The MET department forecast rain or snowfall at isolated places today.

Extremely dry and cold weather in Kashmir have led to health-related problems among children and elderly.

At a piercing -19.2 degrees Celsius, Kargil was the coldest place in the state. The nearby Leh town quivered at – 14 deg C.

Srinagar recorded a minimum of -3.7 deg C, Qazigund -3.6.