North India blacked out as grid 'trips' due to fog

North India blacked out as grid 'trips' due to fogChandigarh, Jan 2 - Many areas in the north Indian states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and even Chandigarh had to face a power blackout since early Saturday due to the northern grid "tripping" owing to heavy fog.

Nearly two dozen trains, including 10 express trains, were affected in Punjab and Haryana due to the power failure and the railway authorities are trying to put diesel engines to resume rail services.

"The tripping in the northern grid took place at 3.02 a. m. The snag developed due to thick fog over Punjab and Haryana. Our engineers are working to revive power supply. In some areas, power supply has been partially revived," Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) chairman H. S. Brar said.

Traffic movement along most highways in Punjab and Haryana was reduced to crawl due to thick fog engulfing most parts of north India.

The cold wave also intensified with Amritsar and other places recording zero degree temperature.

Met officials said the fog would continue over the region as the dry, cold spell is likely to continue till next week.  (IANS)