Coldwave in HP despite dry weather

Shimla, Feb 10 (UNI) Coldwave conditions continue to prevail across Himachal Pradesh where night temperatures plummeted two to four degrees in almost all high, mid hills and lower areas of the state despite dry weather for the second day today, the met office said.

The minimum temperature at Manali fell by over four degrees to stand at minus 6.4 degrees as against minus two degrees, while the minimum temperature at Kalpa fell by three degrees to minus 10 degree Celsius.

Similary, the night temperature at Bhuntar fell by two degrees to stand at one degree as compared to 3.6 degree Celsius recorded yesterday, the met office said.

It said Una town recorded a low of point three degrees in comparison to 1.8 degree Celsius recorded yesterday.

The sky was mainly clear in high and mid hills, including Shimla town, and lower areas of the state today following which vehicular traffic was restored on all the major roads that were under snow for the last few days.

A report from Chamba district said vehicular traffic has been allowed on the Chamba-Pathankot road, while only movement of small vehicles has been allowed on the Chamba-Bharmaur road after the district experienced the heaviest snowfall of the season.

Traffic had also been allowed on the National Highway No 22, which was blocked beyond Dhalli, about 15 km from here, after several days, official sources said.

The met office has forecast mainly clear sky in the state during the next 24 hrs.

UNI XC AS PS BP1832