Sharp fall in day temperatures in HP

Shimla, June 15 (UNI) Maximum temperature across Himachal Pradesh registered a sharp decline today after registering widespread moderate to heavy pre-monsoon showers at almost all places in lower hills of the state during the past 24 hours, the met department said.

The higher altitude areas of the Dhauladhar Ranges, overlooking the Kangra Valley, experienced unusual mild snowfall last night plummeting temperatures in the region, while heavy rains lashed the lower areas of the district.

Dharamshala recorded 84.6 mm rain and Kangra Valley 73.1 mm rain, which snapped power lines and triggered landslides, disrupting vehicular traffic on National Highway and several link roads.

The met department said Gohar in Mandi district was the wettest place in the state with 89 mm of rain, while Karsog in the district recorded 50 mm of rain till 1730 hrs.

Sundernagar received 60.9 mm rain, 25 mm at Palampur, 21 mm at Jogindernagar, 12.2 mm a- Nahan, 10 mm at Solan, 8.9 mm at Shimla and 2.1 mm rain at Bhuntar.

The maximum temperature at Sundernagar dropped by six degrees celsius to stand at 26.8 degrees as compared to yesterday's high of 32.1 degrees, it said.

Shimla's maximum also dropped by four degrees from yesterday's high of 24.5 degrees to 20.3 degrees after receiving 8.9 mm of rain, while the minimum rose by a few notches to 15.5 degrees.

The met department said the maximum temperatures at Kalpa in Kinnuar and Bhuntar plummeted to 17.3 degrees and 25.3 degrees respectively as compared to yesterday's high of 25 and 34 degrees The minimum temperature at Dharashala fell to 16.7 degrees, 21.7 degrees at Una town, 19 at Palampur in Kangra district and 20.1 degrees at Nahan in Sirmaur district, it said.

Overcast conditions were, however, prevailing at Kinnuar and Lahual Spiti districts of the state.

The met departament predicted light to moderate rains at isolated places in the state over the next 24 hours UNI