No respite from cold wave in Himachal

Shimla, Jan 25 (PTI) The biting cold wave sweeping thehills of Himachal Pradesh continued unabated as nighttemperatures stayed close to freezing point at most places inmid and lower hills.

Thick ground frost occurred in mid and higher hills,hampering vehicular movement during the morning hours. Theweather remained dry but strong chilly winds swept the regionforcing people to stay indoors.

Shimla shivered under piercing cold wave conditions asmercury dipped to 0.1 deg C, while Solan recorded a low ofminus 1.2 deg C.

Bhuntar and Sundernagar recorded identical nighttemperatures of 1.2 deg C, while Una and Dharamsala recorded alow of 2.7 deg C.

Similarly, Palampur, Nahan and Mandi recorded 3.5 degC, 4 deg C and 3 deg C, respectively.

Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district reeledunder sub-zero temperatures with mercury staying at minus 16.4deg C.

There was some increase in day temperatures which roseto 21.2 deg C in Una and 20.4 deg C in Dharamsala, fivedegrees above normal.

The local Met office has predicted dry weather duringthe next 48 hours but there was no hopes for any significantincrease in night temperatures.