Himachal shivers as mercury remains sub-zero

An intense cold wave saw most parts of Himachal Pradesh shivering on Sunday with Shimla at a biting 1.3 degrees Celsius while nearby Kufri recorded 1.8 degrees below the freezing point.

Shimla experienced its coldest night of the season despite long sunny conditions.

"The night temperature remained sub-zero in most of the towns in the state," a weather official said.

Popular tourist spots near Shimla like Chail and Narkanda are also reeling under cold wave.

Kalpa and Manali towns saw a low of minus 5 degree Celsius while it was 0.8 degree in Dalhousie, 0.7 degree in Chamba, 5.2 degrees in Dharamsala and 1.5 degrees Celsius in Palampur town.

Met officials said the entire tribal belt in Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts have been witnessing extreme cold climatic conditions with temperature at some places below minus 15 degree Celsius.

Keylong town in Lahaul-Spiti district recorded a low of minus 12.6 degree Celsius.

The weather department said dry weather would continue in the state for almost a week more.

--IANS

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