Cold wave persists in HP after fresh spell of snow

Severe cold wave conditions revived in tribal areas and other higher hills of Himachal Pradesh as region had rains and snow during the past 24 hours, causing fall in mercury.
The higher reaches in tribal areas of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur and other higher regions had another spell of moderate snowfall, while mid and higher hills were lashed by sharp showers, accompanied by strong icy winds.
The minimum temperature dropped to freezing point at Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti while Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of 1.0 degrees Celsius and 3.0 deg C, four to six degree below normal.

Bhuntar recorded minimum temperature at 7.2 deg C, Sundernagar 10.7 deg C, Solan 11.4 deg C and Palampur 12.0 deg C.
State capital Shimla which was lashed by sharp showers, recorded minimum temperature at 11.7 degree while Nahan was hottest in the region at night with a low of 17.4 degree, followed by Una 13.0 degree and Dharamsala 13.4 degree C.
However, maximum temperature rose by few notches in lower hills and Una recorded a high of 36.0 degree ,followed by Nahan 31.6 degree, Sundernagar 29.4 degree, Bhunter 25.7 degree, Solan 25.5 degree, Dharamsala 23.4 degree, Shimla 20. 5 degree and Kalpa 14.4 degree.

Sunni Bhajji was wettest in the region with 35 mm rains while, Seobagh, Bhunter and Rampur received 15 mm rains, followed by Manali and Bajaura 13 mm, Mandi and Saloni 12 mm, Jogindernagar 10 mm, Kalpa and Banjar 8 mm, Chamba 6 mm and Tissa 4 mm.

The rains, thunderstorm and sudden drop in mercury was considers harmful for apple crop which was at setting stage and standing wheat crop, awaiting harvesting.
The local MeT office has predicted thunder squall and rains at many places in mid and higher hills during next 24 hours and dry weather in rest of the state.

Meanwhile, bus services were resumed and power supply and communication services restored in snowbound tribal valleys of Lahaul and Pangi.