Cold wave in HP continues unabated

Shimla, Dec 3 (UNI) The intense cold wave sweeping the tribal belt and other higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, continued unabated today as high altitude areas and mountain passes had another spell of moderate snowfall.

Dhauldhar ranges in Kangra and Churdhar ranges in Sirmour district experienced fresh snowfall while higher reaches in tribal Lahaul and Spiti districts and Kinnaur district had moderate intermittent snowfall for the third day today.

The KinneKailash peak and Sri Khand in Kinnaur and Rohtang, Kunzam, Saach and Chansel Passes also experienced mild snowfall, causing a sharp fall in mercury in adjoining areas.

Tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Pin and Hangrang groaned under piercing cold wave conditions as minimum temperature was recorded between minus eight and minus 15 degreesCcelsius. All natural lakes, springs and tributaries of major rivers, including the Chander Tal, Suraj Tal and Nako Lake, had frozen causing sharp fall in the discharge of water of Ravi, Beas and Sutlej Rivers, about 50 Km stretch of Chandra Bhaga river, in spiti had also frozen due to biting cold wave conditions.

Keylong in Lahaul valley recorded 10 cm of snow till this afternoon while lower tribal areas were experiencing mild rains.

The sky remained heavily overcast and icy winds swept the region, forcing people to stay indoors. The weatherman predicted isolated snow or rains in some parts of the state during the next 24 hours.

The discharge in flow of water in major rivers had affected power generation in hydro-power projects which had fallen to 25 per cent.

The 1500 MW Nathpa-Jhakri hydro-power project, which generates on an average 36 million units per day, was producing only eight to nine million units.

UNI AS DP HS KN1913