Min temp drops in Haryana, Met says cold conditions to persist

Deepender Deswal

Hisar, March 5

Cold conditions are back with the weather taking a surprising turn as the minimum temperature dropped by an average of four degrees Celsius below the normal in the state, forcing people to wear heavy woollens again.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that the cold conditions are likely to continue for the next few days. Though the IMD has predicted clear weather, the minimum temperature is likely to remain below average. The recent hailstorm in the plains and snowfall in the hills has caused the dip in temperature.

Residents said the unexpected fall in the minimum temperature has exposed children and aged people to ailments like cold and cough. The increasing number of patients in the outdoor patients department (OPD) in government and private hospitals. Doctors have advised people to stay protected from the cold wind, especially in the mornings and evenings.

Dr Tarun, Deputy Civil Surgeon at the Civil Hospital here, said people need to wear warm clothes and keep themselves hydrated for better immunity. “Such conditions cause flu which can spread by contact,” he said. Health officials said 74 cases of swine flu have been reported in Hisar district this season till now.

The IMD data stated that Fatehabad recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 4.5 degrees Celsius last night in the state. Hisar recorded 5.7 degrees Celsius, which is seven degrees below the normal temperature. The district recorded a maximum temperature of 21.9 degrees C, which is six degrees C below the normal.

The IMD record revealed that the lowest minimum temperature had been falling gradually since March 1 when Karnal recorded the lowest in the state at 10 degrees Celsius. On March 2, Bhiwani recorded 12.4 degrees. However, the temperature dropped to 7.7 degrees Celsius in Hisar (lowest in Haryana) on March 3 and then 5.2 degrees Celsius the next day (March 4), while Fatehabad recorded 4.5 degrees Celsius in Fatehabad (lowest in Haryana).

However, the IMD has predicted a gradual rise in the maximum temperatures by 3-5 degrees Celsius during the next two days in the state. The minimum temperature is likely to remain 4-5 degrees Celsius below the normal.

The agricultural meteorological department of the Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University in Hisar stated that the weather was likely to remain dry till March 9. The maximum temperatures could rise marginally while the night-time temperature could drop further, the HAU advisory stated.