Cold wave grips Himachal: Keylong, Kalpa shiver at sub-zero temp

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 28

Intense cold wave prevailed in most parts of the state today even as the weather remained dry.

The high-altitude tribal areas and other higher reaches reeled under piercing cold, with mercury staying four to seven degree below the freezing point. Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a low of -4°C and -0.7°C, respectively, while Manali shivered at 1.6°C and Bhuntar and Sundernagar recorded a low of 3°C.

The mercury stayed at 4.5°C in Solan and Kufri, followed by Palampur at 6.2°C and Shimla 6.5°C. Thick ground frost was seen at many places, causing worry to farmers as extreme cold conditions are not conducive for peas and other kharif crops already sown in most parts of the state.

There has been sufficient rainfall during the post-monsoon season, from October 1 to November 28, as the state received 58 mm average rain, an excess of 24 per cent.

All districts, except Mandi which received 36 per cent deficit rain, recorded excess rain and Una and Kinnaur were the wettest with 131 per cent and 95 per cent excess rain. The local Met office has predicted rain and snow at isolated places in middle hills and rain and snow at many places in higher hills on December 1 and 2.

Frost worries farmers

Thick ground frost was seen at many places, worrying farmers as extreme cold conditions are not conducive for peas and other kharif crops, already sown in most parts of the state.