Rain, snowfall predicted in Himachal for 3 days

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 11

The intense cold wave conditions gripped most parts of the state as the high-altitude tribal areas had another spell of moderate snowfall while mid and higher hills were swept by strong icy winds and sky remained partially overcast.

The local MeT office has predicted rain and thunderstorm in lower and mid hills and rain or snow in higher hills at isolated places over the next three days from November 12 as an induced cyclonic circulation is very likely to develop over central Pakistan and adjoining west Rajasthan during 48 hours affecting Himachal Pradesh.

The tribal areas and mountain passes groaned under the biting cold wave conditions with the minimum temperatures staying between minus eight and minus 13 degrees while Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of minus 1.9 degree and 1 degree while key tourist resort of Manali shivered at 1.2 degree C.

The minimum temperatures stayed below 10 degree across the state and Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Solan recorded night temperatures at 5.4 degree, 6 degree and 7 degree.

The day temperatures remained close to normal and Una was the hottest with a high of 25.2 degree, followed by Solan 22.5 degree and Nahan 22.3 degree while Keylong and Kalpa recorded the day temperatures at 5.4 degree and 10.6 degree C.

The state received 31 per cent deficit rain from October 1 to November 11 and the forecast of rain during the next three days has brought cheers to farmers as it was beneficial for sowing of Rabi crops.

Barring Kullu and Chamba districts, which received 64 per cent and 8 per cent excess post-monsoon rain, the rain deficit ranged between 21 per cent (Lahaul and Spiti) and 83 per cent (Sirmaur) in the remaining 10 districts.