Shimla experiences coldest night of season

Intense cold wave conditions further aggravated in the region and Shimla experienced the coldest night of the season with the minimum temperature dipping to minus 0.4 degrees Celsius.
Restoration works are also in full swing after moderate snowfall in Shimla and surrounding areas.
Theog-Matiyana National Highway was blocked due to heavy snow and 250 people stranded near Matiyana, 50 km from here, were brought to Shimla after clearing the snow.
"About 250 people stranded near Matiyana due to snow were provided night shelter at Theog and Matiyana, and arrangements were made to bring the stranded people to Shimla," Shimla Deputy Commissioner, Amit Kashyap said.

Kashyap said there was no shortage of foodgrains and other essential commodities.
"Most of the roads have been cleared of snow while the remaining roads would be opened by this evening and Shimla Municipal Corporation and Public Works Department are working in close coordination," he added.

All major roads in the state are open and water and power supply and other services are normal, an official spokesman said.
The snowfall has given boost to week-end tourism and very large number of tourists are arriving here to enjoy the snowfall.
"Our occupancy has increased significantly after snowfall and expect a good week-end season due to holidays," said a leading hotelier.

The piercing cold wave conditions further intensified after fresh snowfall and Keylong recorded minimum temperature at minus 5.8 degrees Celsius, followed by minus 3.0 degrees Celsius in Kalpa, minus 0.4 degrees Celsius in Shimla, minus 0.6 degrees Celsius in Manali, 2.2 degrees Celsius in Solan, 2.3 degrees Celsius in Palampur, 3.0 degrees Celsius in Bhuntar, 3.4 degrees Celsius in Dharamshala, 3.6 degrees Celsius in Nahan, 3.9 degrees Celsius in Sundernagar and 5.2 degrees Celsius in Una.
The day temperature also dropped by a few notches and Keylong was coldest during the day with maximum temperature at 3.8 degrees Celsius, followed by 8.6 degrees Celsius in Kalpa and Manali, 8.7 degrees Celsius in Shimla, 12.2 degrees Celsius in Palampur, 12.3 degrees Celsius in Dharamshala, 14.8 degrees Celsius in Solan and Nahan, 15.8 degrees Celsius in Sundernagar, 16.0 degrees Celsius in Bhuntar and 19.5 degrees Celsius in Una.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who had to go to Ani for a function tomorrow, had to take the Basantpur-Kingal route to reach Rampur as the main Hindustan-Tibet National Highway was closed due to snow between Kufri and Matiyana.
The MeT office here has predicted dry weather in the region over the next six days and foggy conditions in mid and lower hills on January 24 and 25.