More rain and snow hits electioneering in HP

Shimla, Dec 13 (UNI) Tourists are thronging Shimla and other adjoining tourist resorts of Himachal Pradesh following more snow in mid and lower hills and widespread rains in the lower hills, even as electioneering was hit across the state.

The higher altitude areas, mountain peaks and passes were experiencing mild intermittent snowfall for the fourth day today, while heavy rains lashed many places in the lower areas, again plummeting temperatures in the entire state.

The met office said Dhundi recorded seven cm of fresh snowfall followed by five cm at Bharmaur, five cm at Kalpa, four cm at Keylong and two cm at Patseio in Lahaul Spiti district.

Dhauladhar Ranges, overlooking the Kangra Valley, experienced another spell of moderate to heavy snowfall, while heavy rains lashed the lower areas of Kangra district overnight and during the day, it said.

Almost all natural water sources and lakes have frozen in the tribal districts where the temperatures have fallen below minus 10 to minus 20 degree Celsius.

Biggest power generation in the country 1500 MW Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVNL) also dropped by 80 per cent following low discharge in the Satluj River owing to sub zero temperatures in the tribal districts of the state The minimum temperature at Patseio stood at minus 15 degrees, while Kelyong recorded a night temperature of minus 7.9 degrees, Solang Nullah minus four, Dhundi minus five and Bhang Manali minus one.

Overcast conditions prevailing in Shimla and other adjoining areas followed by intermittent showers during the day forced people to remain indoors as minimum temperature stood at 1.6 degree Celsius.

The town had also recorded about two mm rain up to 0830 hrs, the met office said.

Sundernagar recorded a minimum temperature of 4.2 degree, followed by 3.1 at Bhuntar, 8.1 at Dharamshala, six at Palampur, 3.5 at Una and point one in the famous tourist resort of Manali.

The met office said the minimum temperature at Solan dropped to zero degrees from yesterday's low of 3.5 degrees.

The met office has predicted more rain in the lower areas and snow in the mid and lower hills of the state during the next 24 hrs.

UNI