Coldwave tightenes grip in HP, coldest Jan night in 15 yr

Shimla, Jan 24 (UNI) Biting coldwave today further tightened its grip over Himachal Pradesh with Shimla town recording the coldest night at minus 4.4 degrees Celsius in 15 years in January, the met office said today.

Assistant Meteorologist in the Shimla Meteorological Department R K Lakhanpal told UNI here that the town had recorded a night temperature of minus 4.8 degrees 15 years ago on January 12 in 1993.

He said north westerly winds blowing across the state were responsible for the intense coldwave conditions, which have been aggravated due to frost during the nights.

Several places in mid and lower hills of the state are recording night temperatures below freezing point despite dry weather conditions for the past few days, he said.

Mr Lakhanpal said the minimum temperatures in the state would continue to fall for the next 48 hrs before coldwave conditions ease.

The continuing fall in the night temperatures has affected the supply of drinking water in the hill state, which recorded sub zero temperatures for the fourth consecutive day today after recording a minimum temperature of minus 1.2 degrees yesterday.

The met office said the minimum temperatures across the state registered a fall last night with the night temperature at Patseio in Lahaul Spiti plummeting to minus 20 degrees, minus 14.3 at Keylong, 13.4 at Dhundi and nine degrees at Solang Nullah.

The night temperature at Bhang Manali in Kullu district decline to minus six degrees as compared to minus 2.5 degrees recorded yesterday, while Una recorded a night temperature of minus four degrees.

It said Sundernagar recorded a minimum temperature of minus two, Bhuntar minus point six, Kalpa minus 11.5, Mandi one, Nahan 4.6 and Palampur minus point three degree Celsius.

The Sun was shining brightly in Shimla and other adjoining areas since morning and people were seen basking at the historic The Ridge Maidan and other places of the town.

The sky was mainly clear in almost all mid and lower hills and lower areas of the state and there was no report of rain and snow in the state during the last 24 hrs.

UNI XC AS PS SHB AS1805