Widespread rains, snow in Himachal

Intense cold wave conditions persisted in most parts of Himachal today as the region experienced widespread rains and snow, causing sharp fall in maximum day temperatures.
The local MeT office has predicted rains or snow at few places in mid and higher hills over the next four days and dry weather in lowers hills from tomorrow.
The sky remained heavily overcast in state capital Shimla and other places and chilly winds made people shiver even in heavy woolens.
The tribal areas and other higher hills had intermittent heavy snowfall and Rohtang, Kunzam and Saach passes recorded 45 to 60 cm of snow during past 24 hours while Kothireceived 30 cm of fresh snow, followed by Keylong 21 cm, Kalpa 19 cm, Bharmaur 15 cm, Khadrala 7 mm and Manali 3 cm.

The mid and lower hills of the state received widespread heavy rains and Arki was wettest in the region with 150 mm rains, followed by Ghumarwin 90 mm, Nainadevi72 mm, Dharampur 65 mm, Jhandutta 60 mm, Kasauli 57 mm, Berthin 56 mm, Kahu 55 mm, Palampur 45 mm, Sujanpur 39 mm, Manali 36 mm, Amb 35 mm, Una, and Sundernagar 33 each mm, Dalhousie 32 mm, Jubberhatti 30 mm, Jogindernagar 29 mm, Saloni 27 mm, Bijahi 26 mm, Kangra and Seobagh 25 mm, Mehre 24 mm, Bhuntar and Dharamshala 23 mm, Bajaura 22 mm, Solan 21 mm, Nagrota 20, Mandi and Hamirpur 18 mm.

Keylong, Kalpa and Manali recorded minimum temperatures at minus 2.7 degree, minus 1 degree and 0.6 degree, followed by Shimla 2.6 degree, Bhuntar 5 degree, Nahan 6.2 degree, Palampur 6.5 degree, Dharamsala 6.8 degree, Sundernagar 7.1 degree and Una 10.8 degree C.
A feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect western Himalayan region from January 28thonwards, MeT office said.