Higher reaches of Shimla receive light snow, intensifying cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh

PTI

Shimla, January 18

Higher reaches of Shimla district received light snow at isolated places, intensifying the cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh.

Narkanda and Khadrala in upper Shimla area recorded 5 cm of snow on Wednesday night, while thick fog engulfed Mandi, Sundernagar and Nalagarh, reducing visibility to 500 metres and disrupting traffic in the morning hours.

The minimum temperatures hovered around freezing point at several places while Sumdo and Kalpa recorded a low of minus 5.8 degrees and minus 3.6 degrees Celsius while Narkanda, Manali, Bhunter, Mandi and Sundernagar shivered at minus 1.2 degree, 0.2, 0.4, 1.1 and 1.3 degrees, respectively.

Solan and Una recorded night temperatures of 2.2 degrees each followed by Shimla at 3.1 degrees.

The local Meteorological station has warned of dense fog in lower hills on January 19 and predicted dry spell in the region till January 24.

The dry spell is continuing and the rain deficit was 100 per cent in all 12 districts during the month of January till date.

The farmers and apple growers are worried as prolonged dry spell is harmful for the rabi crops sown in the months of November and early December, particularly in rain-fed areas.

The dry weather and above-normal temperatures are not favourable for apple crops. 

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