Wet spell over north India predicted till January 12

Amidst the cold wave gripping the region and fogging conditions prevailing over some parts, the weather department has predicted a wet spell over north India till January 12.

Light to moderate isolated to scattered rainfall or snowfall is likely over the western Himalayan region on January 11 and 12 and light to moderate isolated to scattered rainfall likely over the plains of north-west India and adjoining central India during January 10 to 12, according to a bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on January 10.

Thunderstorm activity is expected at isolated places likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh on January 11 and isolated hailstorm is also likely over south Haryana, the bulletin added.

The expected rain and snowfall is being attributed by IMD to a western disturbance prevailing as a cyclonic circulation over southwest Iran and its neighbourhood in lower and middle tropospheric levels.

The prediction of rain and snow comes even as the region is facing a severe deficiency of precipitation. Rain during January so far has been below the long period average by 89 percent in Himachal Pradesh, 90 percent in Punjab and 92 percent in Haryana, IMD data revealed.

According to reports, dense fog enveloped many areas of Punjab and Haryana on Friday morning, reducing visibility, with some places like Amritsar experiencing zero visibility. Fazilka was the coldest place, recording a minimum temperature of 2.4 degrees Celsius, while at several places temperature remained a couple of notches below normal.