Fresh snow in higher reaches

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 22

Cold wave conditions persisted in Himachal as high-velocity icy winds swept the region and high-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes had another spell of moderate snowfall.

The sprawling Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra, Churdhar ranges in Sirmaur, Rohtang, Saach, Kunzam and Chansel passes and other high-altitude areas had another spell of moderate snowfall while the sky remained heavily overcast and high-velocity winds lashed the mid and lower hills making people shiver.

The Rohtang Pass, which was opened yesterday, was closed again while Churdhar ranges had widespread snowfall, covering the lower areas up to Haripurdhar.

High-altitude tribal areas continued to groan under piercing cold wave conditions with the minimum temperature staying between minus 12°C and minus 18° C.

The Public Works Department today opened about 100 more roads in the interiors. Now, only 70 roads, including 44 in Kullu, 17 in Mandi and five in Rampur area of Shimla, are blocked due to snow.

Minimum temperatures dropped by few notches in tribal areas. Keylong and Kalpa recorded a low of minus 4.3°C and minus 0.6°C, respectively, against minus 7°C and minus 1.8°C yesterday. Manali shivered at zero degree Celsius against minus 3.5°C yesterday while minimum temperatures rose by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius to stay at 3.2°C at Solan, 4.5°C at Una, Nahan and Bhuntar, 5.2°C at Dharamsala, 6°C at Palampur and 6.2°C in Shimla.

However, day temperatures dropped marginally due to clouded sky and Solan was the warmest In the region with a high of 16.7°C, followed by Una 15.0 °C, Nahan 15.1°C, Sundernagar 14.2°C, Dharamsala 13.8°C, Shimla 13.2°C, Bhunter 10.8°C and Kalpa 5.4°C.

The local weather office had predicted heavy rains or snowfall at isolated places today, but there were no rains, and only mild snowfall took place in the higher reaches.

The department has predicted light rains, thunderstorm or snowfall at isolated places tomorrow and clear weather from December 24 onwards, indicating that a white Christmas may elude Shimla.

Kangra valley shivers

Kangra: The Kangra valley shivered today following a drop in the temperature by 11 degrees in comparison to yesterday.

It was mildly cloudy in the morning, but at noon the sky was overcast with dark clouds forcing vehicles to move with headlights on.

Scientists of the Oil Seed Station Centre CSK HPKV here yesterday said the day temperature was 18°C which dropped to 7°C.—OC