Agartala, Jan 9 : Tripura and adjoining areas of the northeastern region Wednesday shivered through the coldest day in 18 years, the minimum temperatures dipping to 4.6 degrees Celsius.

India Meteorological Department director Dilip Saha told IANS that the chill was due to unusually cold northerly winds.

He added that there would be respite from the "unusual chill" within two to three days.

The maximum temperature in Agartala Wednesday was 22.2 degrees Celsius.

In Tripura, the last minimum temperatures of four degrees Celsius was recorded Jan 6, 1995.(IANS)