India, Jan. 16 -- Cold wave conditions persisted in Gurugram on Friday as temperatures plunged sharply, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording a minimum of 1.8degC at 5.30am. The reading marked a drop of 3.5degC below normal compared to Thursday.

The city woke up to a hazy morning, though visibility improved slightly to around 900 metres in the outskirts by 8.30am.

Despite the steep dip in mercury, the IMD's extended-range forecast issued on Thursday indicated that minimum temperatures in Gurugram are likely to remain between 4degC and 6degC until January 22, while maximum temperatures are expected to range from 22degC to 24degC. On Thursday, the district recorded a maximum temperature of 18.2degC.

Meteorological offi...