Rain, snowfall from today

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 5

Intense cold wave conditions gripped most parts of the state as the minimum temperatures dropped sharply and stayed close to freezing point at many places.

The high-altitude areas, higher hills and mountain passes reeled under the biting cold wave conditions as the mercury stayed between -8 and -13 degree.

Keylong, Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of -5 degree, -0.4 degree and -0.2 degree while Kufri, Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Solan and Shimla shivered at 1.5 degree, 2.5 degree, 2.6 degree, 3 degree and 4.9 degree, two to three degree below normal, while Nahan and Una in lower hills recorded the minimum temperatures at 6.9 degree and 6.3 degree.

All natural sources of water like lakes, springs, rivulets and 70-km stretch of the Chandrabhaga river have frozen, reducing the discharge of water in snowfed rivers and affecting hydropower generation.

The local MeT office has predicted rain or snow in higher hills on December 6 and 9 and rain and thundershowers in lower and mid hills and rain or snow in higher hills on December 10 and 11.

The day temperatures also remained below normal as sky remained partially overcast and strong chilly winds swept the region. Una was the hottest during the day with a high of 24.6 degree while Keylong, Kalpa and Manali were colder at 4.6 degree, 12.2 degree and 12.4 degree.

The region received 48.9 mm rain from October 1 to December 5 against the normal rainfall of 64.9 mm and the post-monsoon rain deficit was 25 per cent, MeT office said.