Clouds hover over Himachal, mercury rises

Shimla, Jan 11: After days of long sunny days, the hills of Himachal Pradesh Sunday witnessed cloudy conditions with the rise in the night temperatures. But the weather bureau predicted rain and snow in the state from Jan 14.

"There are chances of rain and snow in most parts of the state between Jan 14 and 15," an official of the meteorological office here told IANS.

He said the western disturbances -- storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region -- would remain active in the region till Jan 16.

Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Manali and Dalhousie may get more snowfall, he added.

Meanwhile, the temperatures in most of the places rose due to clouds.

The MET official attributed the rise in temperatures to prevailing cloudy conditions.

The state capital recorded a low of 10.8 degrees Celsius, a rise from Saturday's 6 degrees.

Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state with a low of minus 7.9 degrees.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a low of minus 1.4 degrees, while it was 1.4 degrees in Manali, 9.9 degrees in Dalhousie, 3.3 degrees in Chamba and 4.2 degrees in Dharamsala.

These towns Saturday experienced the night temperature at minus 3.4 degrees, minus 1.8 degrees, 8.3 degrees, 0.9 degree and 4.4 degrees Celsius respectively.

IANS