Strong icy winds, rain lash region

Shimla, January 2

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A piercing cold wave sweeping most parts of Himachal further intensified after strong velocity icy winds accompanied by rain lashed the region, leading to a sharp fall in the mercury. The sky remained heavily overcast and hazy in Shimla and adjoining areas and chilly winds forced people to stay indoors.

The maximum temperatures dropped by four to six degrees and stayed five to nine degrees below normal. Chamba recorded a high of 10.4°C, nine degrees below normal, while Keylong with a high of -4°C was the coldest during the day.

A feeble western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation persists over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir in India while an induced cyclonic circulation persists over southwest Rajasthan and neighborhood. As a result, there is likelihood of widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall at many places up to January 6 with the peak intensity on January 4 and 5, the local MeT office said.

Further, there is a possibility of heavy snowfall at isolated places in Kullu, and Lahaul and Spiti districts, and higher reaches of Chamba and Shimla on January 4 and 5. The cold wave is likely to further intensify as the maximum temperatures will drop by five to seven degrees and the minimum temperatures by four to five degrees.

Severe cold conditions are likely to persist in higher reaches and dense to very dense fog may occur in isolated pockets of lower hills of the state from January 6. On account of snowfall, traffic, electricity and water supply may be disrupted in Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts.

People have been advised to restrain from going outdoors while tourists have been advised not to visit higher reaches in Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts on January 4 and 5 and keep in touch with the state authorities. — TNS