Intense cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts of Himachal even as bright sunshine greeted the region and minimum temperatures rose by two to three degrees.
High altitude tribal areas continued to suffer biting cold wave conditions with mercury staying between minus 20 degrees Celsius and minus 34 degrees Celsius. Keylong and Bharmaur recorded a low of minus 15.8 degrees Celsius and 14.3 degrees Celsius.
All lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of snow-fed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi Rivers were frozen, sharply reducing the discharge of water and affecting hydropower generation.
Kalpa and Manali recorded minimum temperatures at minus 5.2 degrees Celsius and minus 2.2 degrees Celsius while Bhuntar, Shimla, Sundernagar and Solan registered 0.2, 0.4, 1.1 and 1.5 degrees Celsius respectively, followed by Hamirpur 2, Kangra 2.5, Una 3.8, Nahan 4.0, Dharamsala 6.2 and Dalhousie 7.3 degrees Celsius.
Several areas of tribal Kinnaur district and Chopal, Nerwa and interior areas of Shimla district remained cut off for the fifth day.
Hindustan-Tibet National Highway was opened for light vehicles via Narkanda and Rampur and Rekong Peo bound vehicles are being diverted via Dhami-Basantpur and Kingal.
Maximum temperatures increased by few notches and Una was hottest at 24 degrees Celsius, followed by Sundernagar 23.1, Bhuntar 22, Solan 20.5, Nahan 19.3, Shimla 17.4, Dharamsala 15.6 and Kalpa 1.6 degrees Celsius.
The local MeT office predicted rains or snow at few places tomorrow and widespread rains and snow across the state from February 21 onwards.
