Cold wave intensifies after rain and snow in HP

Shimla, Feb 10 (UNI) Cold wave conditions intensified in Himachal Pradesh further today with all high altitude areas experiencing fresh snowfall and widespread rains in the mid and lower areas of the state, the met office said.

All high altitude areas of Kinnuar, Chamba, Lahaul Spiti, Kullu, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra were receiving fresh spell of intermittent snow, while rains were lashing the lower areas of the state since last evening.

Shimla Met Office Director Manmohan Singh said the strong western disturbance lying over Northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was likely to bring rain in mid and lower hills and snow in the higher areas of the state during the next 24 hours.

The thick cloud cover over the entire northern region of the country was likely to bring rain and snow and intensify coldwave conditions in the state, he added.

The met office said Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul Spiti district, had received over a foot of snowfall since last night, while Solang Nullah had recorded about four inches of snow till 1430 hrs.

Lahaul, Spiti and Pin Valleys and Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul Spiti, were also experiencing intermittent snowfall since last night.

Manimesh, Gabhrasu lakes, Saach, Kugti, Chobia and Kali Chu Passes in Chamba district had experienced over a foot of snowfall since last night, disrupting vehicular traffic between Chamba-Killar, it said.

The mountain peaks of Dhanetereru and Khudimoral, Mahalwar Dhar, Ranot Koti and upper reaches of Devi Kothi mountain ranges had also experienced fresh spell of snowfall, while the snowflakes were reported from the tourist towns of Dalhousie and Khajjiar in the district.

The met office said snow in Pangi and Bharmaur areas and widespread rains in the lower areas have plummeted the temperature and revived coldwave conditions in the district.

Kalpa in Kinnuar district recorded about four to five inches of snow till 1500 hrs and the met office said snowflakes were reported from the famous tourist resort of Narkanda in Shimla district today.

MORE UNI