Cold wave aggravates in HP

Shimla, Jan 24 (PTI) The intense cold wave sweepingHimachal Pradesh further aggravated today as the mercuryplunged in tribal areas and other mid and higher hills andstrong velocity icy winds lashed the region.

The minimum temperature dropped to minus 16.7 degree,seven degree below normal, in Keylong in tribal Lahaul andSpiti district while Solan, Sundernagar and Bhuntar reeledunder piercing cold wave conditions under sub zero temperaturewith mercury dipping to minus 1.2, minus 1.1 degree and 0.6degree C, four degrees below normal.

Shimla, Una, Mandi and Palampur recorded a low of 2.

1 degree, 2.5 degree, 3.0 degree and 3.

5 degree C, two degreebelow normal while Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district groanedunder minus 5.2 degree.

Strong icy winds continued to lash the region and thepale sun failed to warm up the people.

Local MeT office did not predict any relief from from theclod wave in the next three days.

The high altitude tribal areas and mountain passes frozeunder arctic conditions as the minimum temperature stayedbetween minus 18 and minus 26 degrees C.

The cold conditions were considered conducive for Rabi andapple crop but much would depend on weather conditions inMarch.