Shimla, January 7
Taps went dry as the water froze in many areas of the state capital and towns. The entire region continued to reel under severe cold for the third consecutive day today.
Lakes and rivulets also froze in the tribal areas and other higher reaches thus reducing it discharge into the main rivers. Various hydroelectric projects were operating at 15 per cent of their installed capacity due to this.
Wet patches on highways were also transformed into ice leading to a sudden increase in accidents. The temperature plunged 20 to 25 degree Celsius below the freezing point in the Pin valley and parts of Spiti. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded a minimum -6.6 degree Celsius, followed by Bhuntar in Kulu, which had a minimum of -2 degree Celsius.
Many parts of the Dal Lake here were today frozen with night temperature falling to minus 5.9 °C the coldest in Kashmir in the season so far. However, the days continued to be warm and pleasant with temperature remaining above normal owing to clear and sunny weather.
The city recorded a minimum of -1.4 degree Celsius, though the weakening of the northwesterly winds helped improve the day’s temperature from yesterday's 8 degree Celsius to 10.4 degree Celsius today.
According to the local met department the weather will remain clear for the next 48 hours but the cold wave will continue.
