Mercury drops sharply in Himachal; rains, snow predicted

Most parts of Himachal groaned under biting cold wave conditions as mercury registered a sharp fall following fresh Western disturbances.
The local MeT office predicted rains, thundershowers and snow at many places in the state during next two days with further drop in mercury.
The maximum day temperatures dropped by to eight degrees and strong-velocity icy winds swept the region under heavily overcast sky.
The maximum temperatures dropped to 14.4 degree at Shimla and Sundernagar from 20 degree and 22 degree yesterday while Kalpa and Bhuntar recorded a high of 9.0 degree and 14.0 degree, against 15.4 degree and 22 degree yesterday.

Una, Solan, Nahan and Manali recorded maximum temperatures at 22.0 degree, 18.5 degree, 17.4 degree and 15 degrees respectively, a drop of two to three degrees.
The minimum temperatures dropped marginally and Keylong and Kalpa in tribal areas recorded a low of 2.0 degree and 2.2 degree followed by Solan 3.8 degree, Una 4.6 degree, Sundernagar 5.3 degree and Bhuntar 5.5 degree.

However Shimla was warmed during the night as compared to adjoining areas with minimum temperature at 8.4 degree, followed by Palampur 8.0 degree and Nahan 9.5 degree C.
Thick fog engulfed the towns along the river banks in the morning while ground frost occurred at many places in higher hills and tribal belt.

Keylong and Kalpa in tribal areas recorded a low of 2.0 degree and 2.2 degree followed by Solan 3.8 degree, Una 4.6 degree, Sundernagar 5.3 degree and Bhuntar 5.5 degree.
However Shimla was warmer during the night as compared to adjoining areas with minimum temperature at 8.4 degree, followed by Palampur 8.0 degree and Nahan 9.5 degree C.