No respite from biting cold wave

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 21

While the piercing cold wave conditions continued unabated in most parts of Himachal, the Meteorological Department today warned of heavy rains or snowfall at isolated places in the Himachal Pradesh tomorrow and moderate rains or snowfall in the region during the next 72 hours.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the Manali- Keylong National Highway by clearing heavy snow at Rohtang Pass. The work on Rohtang Tunnel was suspended for winters after the labourers engaged in tunnel construction work were rescued.

However, about 90 link roads in the interiors of Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts were closed due to snow. Efforts are on to open these roads.

The high-altitude tribal areas and other higher hills had no respite from the biting cold wave and mercury stayed 15 to 20 degree below freezing point and fierce icy winds swept the region.

Keylong, Manali and Kalpa recorded a low of minus 7.0 degree, minus 3.0 degree and minus 1.6 degree C, respectively, while the minimum temperature hovered around freezing point in mid hills. Bhuntar recorded a low of 2.0 degree, followed by Chamba 2.2 degree, Solan and Sundernagar 2.6 degree, Una 3.2 degree, Nahan 4.6 degree, Dharamsala 4.8 degree and Shimla 5.3 degree C.

Natural sources of water like springs, rivulets and tributaries of the major rivers froze at high altitude areas, causing sharp reduction in discharge of water in snow-fed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers.

The maximum temperatures fluctuated marginally. Solan was the hottest during the day with a high of 19.5 degree, followed by Sundernagar 18.8 degree, Nahan 17.5 degree, Una 15.0 degree, Dharamshala 14.2 degree, Shimla and Bhuntar 14.0 degree and Kalpa 5.0 degree C.