Day temperatures rise marginally in most parts of Himachal Pradesh

The day temperatures in most parts of Himachal Pradesh rose marginally today with Una in the Shiwalik foothills registering a maximum temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius.

The mercury rose marginally in other parts of the state as well and Sundernagar, Bhuntar Nahan and Solan recorded a high of 37.1 degrees Celsius, 34.6 degrees Celsius, 33.6 degrees Celsius and 33 degrees Celsius, followed by Dharamsala 30.4 degrees Celsius, Shimla 26.6 degrees Celsius, Kalpa 22.0 degrees Celsius and Keylong 17.1 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperatures also increased by a few notches and Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districtsrecorded a low of 3.3 degrees Celsius and 7 degrees Celsius, followed byManali 7.3 degrees Celsius, Bhuntar 13.4 degrees Celsius, Shimla 16 degrees Celsius, Palampur 17 degrees Celsius, Sundernagar 17.3 degrees Celsius, Dharamsala 18.4 degree, Una 19.7 degree and Nahan 21.8 degrees Celsius.

The local Meteorological office has forecast dry weather in the region for five days from tomorrow with a further rise in the day temperatures.

The farmers have heaved a sigh of relief as stormy conditions abated but the state government is bracing to meet the possible water shortage in the coming days.

Irrigation and Public Health minister Mohinder Singh, who reviewed the situation with senior officers at Nahan, directed that hand pumps be installed in the scarcity-hit areas and perennial sources of water be identified, besides preparing long-term schemes to meet the challenge.

He said that the water supply schemes wherein 70 per cent or more work was completed and hanging fire due to paucity of funds be identified so that additional funds could be sought for early completion of these schemes.

The minister told the officers to ensure quality of work in construction of tanks for storage of water.