Shimla records warmest night at 9.5 degrees

Shimla, Jan 25 (UNI) The cold wave conditions have completely eased in Himachal Pradesh with Shimla recording its warmest night at 9.5 degrees in five years, the met office today said.

'''The minimum temperature at Shimla soared to 9.5 degree Celsius, recording its warmest night last night of winter five years. The night temperature is 7.5 degrees above normal,'' Shimla met office Director Manmohan Singh told UNI here.

He said Shimla had recorded one of its warmest night in January five years ago in January, 2002, when it recorded minimum temperature of over nine degrees.

Mr Singh said the coldwave conditions have completely eased in Himachal Pradesh with maximum temperature in Shimla being 6.5 degrees above normal as day temperature rose to 17.6 degrees today.

The extreme warmth during the winter season was due to western disturbance, which was over Pakistan today, travelling northwards and was likely to continue for another two days before temperature begin to dip again, he said.

He said the minimum and maximum temperature across the state would continue to rise until the disturbance crossed over the state on Saturday.

The continous dry spell has also lead to 98 per cent deficient rainfall in the state during the winter season, leading to a drought like situation until now, he said.

The minimum temperature at Dharamshala rose by over three degrees to stand at 9.7 degrees as compared to 6.3 degrees recorded yesterday.

Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded night temperatures of 2.1 and 0.7 degrees respectively, while the day temperature in both these places rose sharply to 27 and 22.5 degrees, the met office said.

It also predicted mild snowfall and rainfall at high altitude areas of the tribal districts of Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti, Chamba and Kullu and mainly clear sky in the remaining areas of the state during the next 24 hours.

UNI