Cold wave continues unabated in spite of dry weather in HP

Intense cold wave conditions continued unabated in Himachal Pradesh even as the region experienced dry weather.
The minimum temperatures stayed below normal while there was minor fluctuation in day temperatures which stayed three to seven degrees below normal.
The dry cold has gripped the region with cases of jaundice touching 1,000 in Shimla alone and hundreds of people down with viral fever.
The state recorded 46 per cent deficit rains from October 1 to December 31, last year while the deficit was 81 per cent less during the first fortnight of January.
The deficit rains and snow have caused worry to apple growers as neither sufficient chilling hours nor moisture is available for good crop while the farmers, waiting for rains after sowing the Rabi crops are upset and in case the dry spell continues for another two weeks, it would spell doom, according to orchardists.

Meanwhile, Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district recorded a low of minus 3.1 degrees, while Kalpa and Manali registered a low of minus 1.4 degrees and 0.6 degree, followed by Palampur 2.7 degrees, Solan 2.7 degrees, Shimla and Bhuntar 3 degrees, Sundernagar 3.3 degrees, Dharamsala 6.4 degrees, Nahan 7.7 degrees and Una 8.2 degrees.

The high altitude tribal areas and mountain passes reeled under biting cold wave conditions with mercury staying 10 to 18 degrees below freezing point.
The maximum day temperatures stayed three to seven degrees below normal with Bhuntar, Sundernagar and Solan recording a high of 20 degrees, 19.5 degrees and 19 degrees, followed by Dharamsala 18.6 degrees, Nahan 16.8 degrees, Una 16.5 degrees, Shimla 14.1 degrees and Manali 12.6 degrees Celsius.

The local MeT office has predicted dry weather in mid and lower hills over next six days and rains or snow at isolated places in higher hills on January 19.