Higher reaches of HP under snow

Chandigarh, Dec 2 (UNI) Higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall today, plummeting the temperature in the north-west region plains.

People reeled under cold climatic conditions in Punjab and Haryana with the temperature staying relatively low. Cold surface winds blew across the plains and the Sun played a hide and seek game throughout the day, affording little warmth to the people.

Adampur, Halwara, Ambala, Sirsa, Sarsawa, Srinagar, Jammu and Palam in Delhi experienced haze in the morning while Suratgarh reported mist.

High altitude areas in the tribal districts of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur experienced another spell of snowfall, making people shiver under severe cold wave conditions.

The 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, and Dhauladhar mountain ranges also experienced snowfall.

Moreover, cold wave conditions also prevailed in many areas of Kullu, Chamba and Shimla districts in the wake of snowfall in higher reaches. The minimum temperature settled at 1.7 degree Celsius at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Sunderdnagar recorded 2.4 degree Celsius and Una 2.0 degree Celsius.

The capital town of Shimla and its surrounding areas also reeled under cold climatic conditions with the mercury settling at around 5.1 degree Celsius, a slight rise from yesterday's 4.1 degree Celsius.

Meanwhile, Punjab and Amritsar too, were not far behind with the minimum temperature hovering at 5.8 degree Celsius in the holy city. Ludhiana and Patiala, however, recorded 6.6 degree Celsius and 9.5 degree Celsius respectively, both one degree below normal.

The mercury dipped at Naranaul, Rohtak, Karnal and Hissar districts in Haryana recording the minimum temperatures at 5.0 degree, 10.0 degree, 9.6 degree and 10.8 degree Celsius respectively.

People in the Kashmir valley continued to groan under piercing cold wave, although, the mercury slightly rose in Srinagar recording minus 0.5 degree Celsius against minus 2.8 degree Celsius registered yesterday.

Jammu recorded a minimum temperature of 8.7 degree Celsius, a normal dipp by two degrees from yesterday.

Chandigarh, however, recorded a slight increase in the minimum temperature but cold-surface winds swept across the city the entire day. The city recorded a minimum temperature at 9.6 degree Celsius, two degrees above normal.

Meanwhile, the MET department had predicted that light to moderate rain or snow is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ SSC PM1801