Cold Wave Continues In Himachal Pradesh
Shimla: Cold wave continued in most parts of Himachal Pradesh with minimum temperatures staying below normal, as tribal areas and other higher hills shivered under biting conditions. Along with cold conditions, erratic power and water supply coupled with traffic jams, added to the woes of people in state capital Shimla. Several areas in the city remained without power for the fifth day. However, water supply was partially restored. Frozen roads disrupted vehicular traffic and upper areas of Shimla, Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti were still cut off from rest of the state. Water pipes froze and burst at numerous places in higher hills. Strong icy winds swept Shimla and the sky remained heavily overcast, chilling people to their bone. The majestic Dhauladhar range in Kangra was also covered with a mantle of impeccable white snow. High-altitude tribal areas experienced minimum temperatures between minus 16 and minus 22 degrees Celsius while Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of minus 9.7 degrees and minus 7 degrees Celsius respectively. They were followed followed by Manali at minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, Shimla and Saluni at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, Solan 0.5 degrees Celsius, Bhuntar 1 degrees Celsius, Sundernagar 2.1 degrees Celsius, Palampur 2.5 degrees Celsius, Una in Shivalik foot hills 3.4 degrees Celsius and Nahan 4.7 degrees Celsius. While weather remained dry in the state, Keylong and Saluni recorded 1 cm and 3 cm of fresh snow respectively. About 400 roads, mostly in Shimla and Kullu district, were blocked due to snow while normal life has been paralysed in Lahaul and Pangi valleys with all roads covered under a thick blanket of snow. - By PTI
