AGARTALA, December 18 (TIWN): Tripura is in the grip of a cold wave as the mercury plunged to 10 degree celsius in the State capital today. The maximum temperature recorded was 23 degree, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), sources said.

The hilly North Eastern State of Tripura is in the grip of cold wave as the temperature continued to drop. This capital city and other parts of the state witnessed dense fog since yesterday along with chilly wind forcing the people to remain indoors. The local weather office forcast a clear sky and a dry weather but dense fog from late night to morning during the next few days.

According to a Met official, the dip in temperature to a cold wind blowing in from the Himalayan region reinforced by another wind blowing from the Siberian region of Russia.

“The Himalayan wind which has created the cold wave has deviated this year from its normal path towards Afghanistan and headed towards the Northeast and eastern India. This is being reinforced by another wind from the Siberian region blowing towards Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and further east.”

The official added that dip in the maximum temperature and lack of sufficient sunlight could worsen the condition in the next 48 hours. He said though there was no record Jampui Hill areas in North Tripura bordering Mizoram and Gandacherra, Raima Valley areas of hilly eastern Tripura bordering the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh might be colder.