New Delhi, 09 March (H.S.):

Escalating West Asia tensions have propelled crude oil prices skyward, hammering the Indian rupee to unprecedented depths against the US dollar.The rupee plunged at market open, shedding 46 paise to start at 92.20 in interbank forex trade. Oil's 25% surge further soured sentiment, driving it to an all-time low of 92.35—a 61-paise drop.

By 1 p.m., it traded marginally higher at 92.26, down 52 paise on the day. Friday's close stood at 91.74.The currency weakened across majors too: Down 81.95 paise versus GBP to 123.06, and 41.40 paise against EUR to 106.61 by early afternoon.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar