Temperatures in HP dips after overnight snow and rain

Shimla, Nov 18 (UNI) Minimum and maximum temperatures in Himachal Pradesh plummted by few degrees today following moderate snowfall in the higher altitude and widespread rains in the mid and lower hills during the last 24 hrs, the met office said.

Almost all high mountain peaks of Kinnuar, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kullu, Mandi and Kangra districts experienced mild intermittent snowfall last night, while widespread rains were reported from other parts of the state.

The met office said Kyelong, the district headquarters of Lahaul Spiti, was receiving its first snowfall of the season, while Mantalai and Kheer Ganga areas of Kullu district had already received over one foot of snowfall since last night.

The 13,050 foot high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, had also recorded one and a half foot of snowfall since last night and official sources said efforts were on to clear the Pass for vehicular traffic, it said.

The Border Road Organisation (BRO) rescue teams have already started their snow clearing operations, which were hampered due to fresh snowfall last night.

A report from Chamba district said Suppu peak and other higher mountain peaks in the district had also experienced snowfall last night, while rains lashed the lower areas lowering the day and night temperatures in the district.

The met office said coldwaves had intensified in the tribal districts of the state following fresh spell of snow in the higher and rains in the lower areas with Kalpa in Kinnuar district recording a night temperature of one degree Celsius.

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