Cold wave sweeps Lahaul, Kinnaur

Shimla, October 24

Cold wave conditions intensified in most parts of Himachal as minimum temperatures dropped further in spite of dry weather and stayed five to eight degree below freezing point in high altitude tribal areas.

The minimum temperatures hovered around the freezing point. Keylong and Kalpa in tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur recorded a low of minus 2.7 degree and 0.2 degree while Manali reeled under severe cold at 1 degree C.

All natural sources of water like lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of snowfed rivers in the high-altitude tribal areas as also 70-km stretch of Chandra Bhaga river have started freezing, drastically reducing the discharge of water, affecting hydropower generation.

The sky remained partially overcast and chilly winds blew across the state causing marginal drop in the day temperatures. Una was the hottest during the day with a high of 30.6 degree C.

The local MeT office has predicted dry weather in the region for next six days from October 25 to October 30. — TNS