Temperatures plummet in HP after snow

Shimla, Oct 17 (UNI) Temperatures across Himachal Pradesh continued to plummet following moderate to heavy snowfall in the tribal districts of the state during the last 24 hours, the met office said.

Higher altitude areas and passes of Kinnaur district of the state continued to experience heavy snowfall for the third day today, while the lower areas were lashed by rains, plummeting temperature with Kalpa recording a night temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius.

The met office said reports of snow were also reported from higher mountain peaks and passes in Lahaul Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts of the state.

The 13050-feet high Rohtang Pass, called the gateway to Lahaul Spiti, also experienced mild snow during the last two days, besides other surrounding areas.

However, official sources said vehicular traffic was plying normally on the pass, which normally remains shut for over six months during the winter season.

The day here began on a bright note before thick clouds engulfed the sky during the day. However, the clouds thinned out by evening.

The minimum temperature here fell to 6.6 degrees as against 9.1 degrees recorded yesterday, while the minimum fell by a degree to stand at 18.7 degrees, following 10.3 mm rain during the last 24 hours, the met office said.

It said minimum at Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Dharamshala fell to 12.5, 10.3 and 15.2 degrees respectively as compared to 13.1, 11.7 and 15.7 degrees respectively recorded yesterday.

Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Kalpa recorded day temperatures of 26.4, 27 and 12.3 degrees respectively, it added.

The met office has forecast more snow and rain in the tribal areas and isolated places in the state during the next 24 hours.

UNI