Intense cold wave sweeps state

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 3

Intense cold wave conditions gripped most parts of Himachal as the mercury plummeted following a fresh snowfall in tribal areas and other higher hills while widespread rain lashed the mid and lower hills.

Shimla was lashed by high velocity icy winds accompanied by intermittent rain, causing sharp fall in the mercury which dipped to 7.3 degree C.

Tribal valleys reeled under freezing cold wave conditions with minimum temperatures ranging between minus five and minus 10 degree while Keylong, Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of minus 1.1 degree, zero degree and 2.2 degree.

The maximum day temperatures plummeted by five to seven degrees and Keylong and Kalpa recorded a high of 2.1 degree and 1.2 degree C. The higher reaches in Kinnaur and Chansel, Saach, Rohtang and Kunzam passes received moderate to heavy snow.

The helicopter services were disrupted due to inclement weather and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who was in Kinnaur district, had to come by road.