Snow in HP, rain in plains

Chandigarh, Dec 5 (UNI) Higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall while many areas in the north-west plains had rain since last night.

Chilly winds swept most parts of the region even as the minimum temperature kept above normal following the cloudy weather overnight.

Tribal districts of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh had a moderate snowfall last night, intensifying cold wave in the tribal belt.

The 13050-foot high Rohtang Pass, gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, and the Dhauladhar Mountain ranges, facing the Kangra valley, also had moderate snowfall. Snowfall was also reported from high peaks in Kullu district. Bhang-Manali recorded 6 cms snow, Solang Nullah 35 cm snow and Dhundi 78 cm snow.

Lower areas in Himachal Pradesh, including Sundernagar, Pandoh, Sujanpur Tira, Naudan, Guler and Nagrota Surian, had a widespread rain. The capital town of Shimla recorded 9.0 mm rainfall till 0830 hours.

People groaned under cold climatic conditions in Shimla with the minimum temperature staying 5.6 degrees celsius.

Several areas in Punjab and Haryana reported rainfall. However, the mercury kept two degrees to six degrees above normal in these states.

Ambala, Hissar, Karnal, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Hoshiarpur and Nangal Dam also had rainfall. Delhi reported trace. Srinagar and Jammu regions also had rainfall.

Dense clouds enveloped Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana in the morning. The city, recording the minimum at 13.4 degrees, was lashed by high speed winds and rain during the day.

The Weather office has warned of heavy rain or snow at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh during the next 48 hours. It predicted light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places in Punjab and Haryana.

Hailstorm or thundersquall with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the region during the next 24 hours.

UNI VKJ SY KN1809