Cold conditions revive in Himachal

Shimla, Feb 18 (PTI) Intense cold wave today sweptmost parts of Himachal Pradesh and severely affected normallife, even as the hill state got respite from rain and snowafter a week.

Shimla reeled under piercing cold wave conditions withminimum temperature staying at 1.5 deg C while Bhuntar, Solan,Sundernagar and Dharamsala recorded a low of 1.0 deg C, 1.4deg C, 2.5 deg C and 4.1 deg C, respectively.

Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was thecoldest in the region with minimum temperature at minus 13.1deg C while Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district shivered at minus5 deg C.

However, the day temperature rose marginally withShimla recording a high of 12.4 deg C while Una was hottest inthe region with a maximum temperature of 21.4 deg C.

Sundernagar recorded high of 19.6 deg C, followed byMandi and Nahan at 18.6 deg C each and Bhuntar and Solanrecorded 17 deg C each.

Higher reaches in tribal areas had mild snowfall whilesky remained overcast with strong winds sweeping the region.

The local MeT office has predicted rain or snow inhigher hills during the next 48 hours while weather wouldremain dry in the lower hills.