Most parts of Himachal Pradesh continued to reel under piercing cold weather conditions as the minimum temperature hovered close to freezing point across the state.
Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest in the region, with minimum temperature at minus 9.3 degree Celsius, while Manali and Kalparecorded a low of minus 1.8 degree and minus 0.6 degree Celsius respectively.
The mercury stayed close to freezing point with Bhuntar recording maximum temperature at 1.0 degree Celsius, followed by Solan and Sundernagar 1.5 degrees, Palampur 3.0 degrees, Una 3.2 degree, Dharamsala 5.8 degree and Nahan 7.9 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, the mercury remained at 12 to 19 degree below freezing point in high altitude tribal areas freezing all natural sources of water, including lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers and a long stretch of Chandrabhaga river in tribal Spiti valley, for over three weeks. The development has resulted in sharp reduction in discharge of water in snow fed rivers.
The maximum day time temperatures also dropped by a few notches and Unawas hottest during the day with a high of 23.8 degree Celsius, followed by Sundernagarat 21.4 degree, Solan 20.5 degree, Bhuntar 20 degrees, Nahan 18.0 degrees, Shimla 16.5 degree, Dharamshala15.8 degree, Kalpa 11. 8 degree and Manali 11.4 degree Celsius.
The local MeT office has predicted rain or snow at some places in mid hills tomorrow and dry weather in the region over next five days.
