IMPHAL, Dec 19 - Cold wave has gripped Manipur with the mercury level plunging to 4.8 degree Celsius in the State capital today.
The maximum temperature recorded was 21.7 degrees, sources in the Indian Metrological here said. The minimum temperature of the State, which has been around 10 degree Celsius on an average this month, has gradually gone down since Friday, recording six degree Celsius.
Besides the State capital, the severe cold wave conditions also prevailed in other hill district headquarters of the State, residents informed. The people in the hill districts have also been experiencing chilly winds during the last three days.
Similarly, the hilly Ukhrul, around 84 km north from here, has been experiencing unusual cold in the last few days. �We�ve been facing cold winds both during the day and at night, forcing us to stay indoors,� said a resident of Ukhrul. Tamenglong and Senapati districts are also experiencing similar conditions.
So far, this year�s month of January, with a minimum temperature of 2-3 degree Celsius, witnessed the coldest days of the year, as per official records available here.
�Even though the coldest day of the year 2010 was experienced in the month of January, people are feeling colder during this fortnight because fog has remained for a longer period,� said residents in Imphal. The cold wave has forced households in Manipur to burn huge amounts of coal in their heaters to beat the severe cold.
