Snow continues in HP for third day

Shimla, Feb 23 (UNI) A weakened Western Disturbance over the adjoining state of Jammu and Kashmir brought more mild intermittent snowfall at isolated places in the tribal districts of Himachal Pradesh for the third day today.

According to official and met office sources, mild intermittent snowfall was continuing at isolated places in the tribal districts of Kinnuar, Lahaul Spiti and Chamba with the remote Pangi area experiencing 18 to 22 cm snowfall.

Reckong Peo, Kinnuar district's district headquarter, was also experiencing along with while Kalpa, which had recorded 10 to 14 cm fresh snow during the last 24 hrs.

Dhauladhar Ranges overlooking the picturesque Kangra Valley also receiving mild intermittent snowfall, while light rains lashed the lower areas of the district during the last 24 hrs.

Lahaul Spiti's Keylong district headquarter recorded bout six cm of snow during the last 24 hrs following which the night temperature in the town plummeted to minus two degree Celsius.

The sources said 250 people, including 21 patients, were stranded at several places in the remote and tribal district of Lahaul Spiti due to the inclement weather following which the helicopter flights were called off to the district.

The minimum temperatures in the tribal district were being recorded between minus five and minus 10 degree Celsius following fresh spell of snowfall during the last three days.

Overcast conditions are prevailing in the state capital since morning, while sun was shining brightly at the famous tourist resort of Manali in Kullu district of the state.

Shimla town's minimum and maximum temperature fell to 6.7 and 14.5 degree Celsius respectively as against 7.6 and 18.4 degree Celsius recorded yesterday.

The met office said Sundernagar recorded a day temperature of 10.7 followed by 2.8 at Bhuntar, minus 2.5 at Kalpa and 8.3 degree Celsius at Dharamshala.

The day temperatures at Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Kalpa and Dharamshala stood at 20, 18.2, 4.8 and 17.8 degree Celsius, it said.

The met office has forecast rain and snow at isolated places in the state during the next 24 hrs.

UNI AS JN VN1827