HP in grip of coldwave

Shimla, Dec 13 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh is in the grip of a severe coldwave despite dry weather in the state during the last 24 hrs, the met office sources said today.

Maximum and minimum temperatures in the high altitudes and several areas of the tribal districts had plummeted to the lowest during the winter season.

The sources said night temperatures in the high altitude areas of the tribal districts were being recorded between minus 15 to minus 25 degree Celsius with Patsio and Dhundi in Lahaul Spiti district recording minimum temperatures of minus 22.5 and minus seven degree Celsius respectively.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district and Solang Manali in Kullu district recorded night temperatures of minus 4.5 degree Celsius each, while Bhang Manali recorded a night temperature of minus two degrees, they said.

Snow clouds were hovering over the tribal districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Chamba and Kullu districts and it was likely to snow anytime during the day met sources said.

The state Government has introduced helicopter services to the remote areas of the tribal districts where roads have been closed due to heavy snowfall for the last few days, official sources said, adding that two sorties were carried out between Bhuntar and Stingry yesterday.

However, the day and night temperatures in the lower and mid hills, including Shimla, recorded a rise, mainly due to dry weather in the state.

The state capital's night temperature rose to 4.5 degrees as against point four degree recorded yesterday, due to dry weather, it said.

Meanwhile, Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded night temperatures of point eight and zero degree Celsius respectively.

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