Even as there was sunshine in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi on Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not ruled out the possibility of a wet Republic Day as cold wave conditions further intensified in Himachal and Kashmir following fresh snowfall and rains in many parts of the States.
Shimla witnessed the coldest night of the season with a low of -2 degrees Celsius.
The weather experts have, however, predicted that the next two days would be dry for the northern States. According to them, there could be more snow in higher reaches of Himachal on January 26 due to the impact of Western disturbance. The situation in Himachal is likely to have an impact in Delhi and other adjoining States, said the sources. According to them, cold condition will continue to prevail in most parts of the country almost till January 26.
According to IMD, a fresh western disturbance would affect Western Himalayan region from Saturday. Rain/snowfall is expected over this region besides in Central India and in parts of North-West and Eastern parts of the country.
The situation would result in further fall in night temperature by 2 degrees -4 Degrees C within the next 48 hours. Fog would also occur in major parts of the country including the northern states and other parts of the country.
While rains continued to lash several parts of Rajasthan for the second day on Friday, snowfall hit the higher altitudes of Himachal. The lower terrains of Himachal received rains. Similar was the situation in Kashmir with the lowest temp at -11 degrees C in leh. Places as Gulmargh experienced snow with mercury recorded at -7.8 degrees C.
The ongoing cold wave conditions also intensified in several parts of Punjab and Haryana with night temperatures dropping between 2 degrees -3 degrees C.