Mercury dips due to snow, rain in region

Chandigarh, Mar 1 (UNI) Cold climatic conditions revived in many parts of north-west India following another spell of snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and rain in the plains of Punjab and Haryana during the past 24 hours.

Shimla and its adjoining areas experienced fresh snowfall early today plummeting temperatures and intensifying cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh.

The minimum temperature fell to zero degree in the capital town which was also pounded by rain.

Moderate to heavy snowfall lashed the tribal districts of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur and Pangi and Bharmour areas in Chamba district, intensifying cold wave in the tribal belt. The mercury hovered between between minus 15 degrees and minus 25 degrees celsius in the tribal areas where all lakes and natural water sources have frozen.

The 13050-foot high Rohtang Pass, access to tribal Lahaul Spiti district, and Dhauladhar mountain ranges, facing the picturesque Kangra Valley, also had snowfall, reviving cold wave conditions in Kullu and Kangra valleys. The cold wave is likely to extend some more parts of Himachal Pradesh.

Heavy rain lashed mid and lower hills of Himachal Pradesh, including Dharamshala, Palampur, Solan and Nahan. Pandoh, Rampur, Bhuntar, Suni, Kasol and Barthin. Sundernagar, Sujanpur Tira, Naudan, Guler and Nagrota Surian, areas also had rainfall.

Rain also lashed parts of Punjab and Haryana overnight, dipping the minimum temperatures. Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala and Nangal towns also recorded a fall in the night temperatures in the wake of rainfall.

Cold climatic conditions prevailed in some parts of Haryana following downpour, which are likely to abate till tomorrow, according to the Weather Office here. Ambala, Hissar, Karnal, Narnaul, Jagadhri, Nelokheri and Chachroli areas also experienced rain.

Heavy rain pounded Chandigarh and its adjoining areas last night.

The city recorded the minimum temperature at 11.8 degrees against 14.0 degrees registered yesterday.

The weather Office has predicted moderate to rather heavy rain or snow at many places in Himachal Pradesh and light to moderate rain or thundershowers at few places in Haryana and isolated places in Punjab during the next 24 hours. Hailstorm or thundersquall with wind speed exceeding 45 km per hour is likely to hit isolated places in Himachal Pradesh.

UNI