Snow, rain lash many areas in region

Chandigarh, Feb 13 (UNI) Snow and rain continued to lash many areas in north-west India even as the night temperatures stayed above normal in the region today.

Chilly winds swept most parts of the region following fresh snowfall on higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh and rain in the hilly state and plains of Punjab and Haryana.

However, the minimum temperature kept above normal as the cloudy weather persisted. Low clouds hung over the plains and the Sun played hide and seek during the day, affording little warmth to the people in the region.

The weather Office has predcited moderate to rather heavy rain or snow at most places in Himachal Pradesh and moderate to rather heavy rain or thundershowers at many places in Punjab and Haryana during the next 24 hours. Hailstorm or thundersquall with speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to occur at isolated places in the area during the period.

Heavy rain or snow is likely to occur at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh and heavy rain at isolated places in north Haryana and northern and north-east parts of Punjab during the next 48 hours.

Shimla, tourist resort of Kufri and higher reaches in Himachal Pradesh had another spell of snowfall. The minimum temperature fell to minus 1.0 degrees celsius in the capital town following snowfall.

Vehicular traffic on the Hindustan-Tibet Road remained suspended beyond Theog and buses and small vehicles have been diverted via Mashobra. The movement of buses on the Chamba-Killar road also remained suspended for the third day today with Saach Pass in Chamba district recording more snow.

Pangi, Tissa and Bharmaur areas of the district have been cut off from the rest of the district following heavy snowfall, a report from Shimla, quoting official sources, said.

High altitude areas in tribal districts of Kinnaur had another spell of heavy snowfall plummeting the temperature in the tribal belt. The tribal areas reeled under intense cold wave conditions with Kalpa in Kinnaur district recording minus 4.5 degrees celsius.

The 13050-foot high Rohtang Pass, access to Lahaul Spiti district, and the Dhauladhar mountain ranges, facing the Kangra valley, also had snowfall, renewing cold wave conditions in the twin valleys of Kullu and Kangra.

Widespread rain lashed mid and lower hills of Himachal Pradesh and plains of Punjab and Haryana since last night. Reports of rain were received from, Pandoh, Rampur, Guler, Nagrota Surian, Sundernagar, Bhang-Manali and Solang Nullah in Himachal Pradesh.

Moderate rain was reported from parts of Punjab where the minimum temperatures stayed above normal. Hoshiarpur was the wettest place in the state, recording 21.1 mm while Ludhiana measured 20.2 mm rain till 0830 hours. Amritsar, Patiala, Balachour and Nangal areas also had rainfall.

Rains also lashed Haryana with Karnal recording 22.8 mm downpour till this morning, followed by Hissar registering 18.1 mm, Kalka 16 mm, Ambala 5.9 mm and Panchkula 5 mm.

Chandigarh and its adjoining areas were also lashed by showers overnight. The city where the minimum slightly rose to 11.6 degrees, recorded 2.2 mm rainfall.

UNI