Moderate to heavy rainfall in Himachal; Kufri coldest in state

Moderate to heavy rainfall lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh during the past 24 hours, the meteorological office in Shimla said today, forecasting more heavy rainfall in central parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The Met office said Kufri, a hill station 20 km from Shimla, was recorded the coldest place in the state. The minimum temperature there was recorded at 13.9 degrees Celsius. The name Kufri is derived from the word kufr meaning "lake" in local language.

The minimum temperature in Manali was recorded at 14C, Kalpa 14.2C, Shimla 15.7C.

Heavy rainfall lashed Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Sirmaur districts.

The highest rainfall was was recorded in Bhoranj (145 mm) followed by Mehra (92 mm), Gohar (76 mm), Dharamshala (71 mm), the Met office said, adding that these places are among the catchment areas for Beas, Sutlej and Yamuna rivers.

The maximum temperature was recorded in Una at 32.6C.