Coldwave intensifies in HP after snow

Shimla, Dec 12 (UNI) Several tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh are reeling under sub zero temperatures following fresh spell of mild snowfall in the higher and tribal districts of the state during the last 24 hrs, the Met office said today.

Temperatures at several places in the state plummeted to their lowest during the winter season with Shimla recording a night temperature of point four degrees.

The Met office said Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 6.5 degrees, while people in Dhundi shivered at minus 7.5 degrees Celsius.

Palampur in Kangra and Bhang Manali in Kullu district also registered a sharp fall in the minimum temperatures, which stood at minus 2.5 degrees, while Solang Nullah recorded a minimum of minus five degrees Celsius, it said.

Almost all higher altitude areas and tribal districts of the state experienced fresh spell of snowfall last night, freezing all natural water sources and reducing water discharge in the rivers of the state.

Snow clouds were hovering over the tribal districts after mild snowfall in several areas of the Shimla district yesterday, and the Met office has predicted more snow in the higher areas in the next 24 hrs.

The state capital had a bright and a sunny day today after receiving about 15 cm snowfall, which had frozen drinking water pipes to various localities in the town besides affecting vehicular traffic in the morning.

Shimla recorded a day temperature of 11 degrees today, while Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded night temperatures of point five and zero and day temperatures of 18.8 and 14 degrees Celsius respectively.

The Met office has predicted rains and snow at isolated places in the state during the next 24 hrs.

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