Mercury dips to 10 degrees in North Bengal The minimum temperature recorded in Darjeeling was 4.6℃

Siliguri residents sit around a fire to warm themselves on Friday. Picture by Passang Yolmo

TT, 21.12.19, Siliguri: Temperature dipped to 10 degrees Celsius across north Bengal on Friday with indications that the mercury would plummet further in the days to come.

The sky remained overcast throughout the day and the cold made people put on heavy woollens and light fires to keep themselves warm even in the afternoon. As the evening rolled, the temperature started dipping again.

“It was a dry cold day as the maximum temperature was below 16 degree Celsius at many places. There is a forecast of similar weather conditions in the next three-four days. There might also be dense fog in some areas of sub-Himalayan Bengal which can reduce the visibility to around 500m,” said a weather expert.

In the past 24 hours, the minimum temperature recorded in Darjeeling was 4.6 degrees Celsius, 5.5 degrees in Kalimpong, 7.7 degrees in Gangtok, 9.5 degrees in Siliguri, 9.1 degrees in Cooch Behar and 10.2 degrees in Jalpaiguri and 10.6 degrees in Malda.

“In north Bengal, Friday was the coolest day in the current winter. The north-westerly wind is bringing down the temperature,” the expert said.