No let-up in biting cold wave

Tribune Reporters

Shimla, January 28 

There has been no let up in the biting cold conditions in Himachal Pradesh as an overcast sky, icy winds and foggy conditions kept the day temperature low for another day today.

However, the local Met office has predicted rain or snow at isolated places tomorrow and dry weather from January 30 onwards.

The overnight rain and snow aggravated the cold and mercury dipped to minus 11.9°C in Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti, minus 5.6°C at Kalpa in Kinnaur and minus 2.6°C at Manali. 

The high-altitude tribal areas reeled under arctic conditions with mercury staying 15 to 23 degrees below the freezing point while it hovered around the freezing point in Shimla and Una, which recorded a low of 1.2°C and 1.5°C. 

Palampur and Bhuntar shivered under piercing cold wave with mercury staying at 2.2°C and 2.8°C, followed by Dharamsala 3.2°C, Solan 3.7°C and Nahan 8.1°C. 

The maximum day temperatures did not show any significant improvement in spite of a clear sky in the morning. Una recorded a high of 18.6°C, while Bhunter and Nahan recorded maximum temperature at 16.2°C and 16.1°C, followed by Sundernagar 15.4°C, Solan 14.5°C, Dharamsala 12.4°C, Shimla 9.7°C, Manali 6.0°C and Kalpa 5.4°C. Keylong, Saloni and Kalpa experienced 6 cm, 3 cm and 1 cm of fresh snow while, Bandal and Dalhousie recorded 8 mm rain. 

Life thrown out of gear

Palampur: Normal life in the Chhota Bara Bhangal valley remained paralysed for the fifth day today as it remained cut off with rest of the world. Power supply and transport services were adversely hit as no bus could reach the valley.

Over two dozen villages here are still without power and drinking water supply. 

The upper reaches of Dhauladhar ranges and high altitudes of Chhota Bara Bhangal experienced heavy snow today while lower areas were lashed with rain. Palampur recorded the coldest night yesterday at 1°C.