Dense fog disrupts train services in Rajasthan; Churu coldest

JAIPUR: Dense fog in neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana continued to disrupt rail services today in Rajasthan as major trains were running late up to seven hours, an official said.

The severe cold wave sweeping across the state affected normal life in Jaipur, Churu, Sikar, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Barmer districts as Churu was near the freezing point with 1.8 degree Celsius of minimum temperature last night, a MeT report said.

Varanasi-Jodhpur train was running seven hours late followed by Rishikesh-Sriganganagar, Sealdah-Ajmer which were delayed by over five hours. Newjalpaigudi-Udaipur and Hawarah-Jodhpur/ Bikaner were running late by over four hours, NWR CPRO Tarun Jain said.

Two trains on Sriganganagar and Delhi, and Sriganganagar- Rishikesh were reschedule to avoid foggy weather, he said.

Udaipur recorded minimum temperature of 3 degrees, Sikar 3.5, Sriganganagar 4, and Jaipur 5.4 degree Celsius.

Elsewhere the night temperature stood below 10 degree Celsius in the state.

Cold wave might intensify further as a fresh blow of north-westerly icy winds likely to hit the state in next 24 hours, a forecast said.