Shimla, February 6
The mid and higher hills of Himachal Pradesh continued to shiver under freezing cold wave conditions as the entire tribal belt and other higher reaches had intermittent snowfall while the mid-hills were lashed by strong velocity icy winds accompanied by drizzle and snowflakes.
The temperature in the mid hills, including capital Shimla, hovered around zero degree while the higher hills reeled under sub-zero temperature. Waterpipes were frozen at many places in higher hills and thick ground frost hampered vehicular traffic in the morning hours.
The mighty Dhauladhar ranges overlooking the Kangra valley, Rohtang pass, Churdhar ranges, Pir Panjal ranges adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, Chansel Pass and higher reaches in tribal belt were experiencing intermittent heavy snowfall since early this morning.
The famous tourist resorts of Manali and Dalhousie, Narkanda and Sangla also experienced fresh snowfall, further aggravating the severe cold wave conditions. Dalhousie recorded 15 cm of snow while Manali and Bhang had eight to 12 cm of snow, reports here said.
Solang, Dhundhi and Petseo also experienced 10 cm to 25 cm of snow while the higher reaches in tribal areas had intermittent heavy snowfall for fifth day today.
There was no let up in cold wave conditions in the tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Pin and Hangrang as minimum temperature stayed between minus 17 and minus 28 degrees
Celsius. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minus 8°C temperature as intermittent snowfall continued.
CHANDIGARH: Widespread rain in most parts of Punjab and Haryana today plummeted temperature by two to three degrees in the region, which experienced the revival of cold conditions.
The minimum temperature, which had soared by a few degrees in the past week, dropped on account of rain in the region, MET office said here.
Barring Ludhiana, however, the mercury remained above normal in most parts of Punjab and Haryana.
Ludhiana recorded a low of 7°C, which was one degree below normal.
Hisar received a maximum rainfall of 17.4 mm followed by 9.4 mm in Karnal, 5.2 in Patiala, 1.2 in Ambala and 0.3 mm in Amritsar.
Chandigarh had a low of 9°C, one degree above normal. However, cold winds swept the city, which remained overcast throughout the day with scanty rain at some sectors.
The mercury fell to 8.2°C in Amritsar, 8.5 in Ambala, 8.6 in Karnal, 9.6 in Patiala and 11°C in Hisar.
The MET Department predicted rain or thundershower at most of the places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours.
— PTI
