Cold wave conditions intensified in high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh while temperature in Keylong plummeted below the freezing point, MeT department officials said today.
Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest in the state recording minus 1.9 degrees Celsius, followed by Kalpa in Kinnaur district at 1 degree Celsius.
"Natural sources of water like lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers have started freezing. There has been a sharp decrease in discharge of water in the snow-fed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers," they said.
The tourist resort of Manali recorded a low 2 degrees Celsius.
Besides, Bhuntar recorded 4.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Solan (5.8), Sundernagar (6.2), Palampur (8), Shimla (8.5), Una (9.6), Nahan (13.1) and Dharamsala (13.4).
"The dry cold spell continues in the region with 88 per cent deficit rainfall recorded from October 1 to November 7. Against a normal 45.1 mm rainfall it received just 5.3 mm," they said.
Maximum day temperatures also dropped marginally with Una remaining the hottest during the day at 29.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Sundernagar 27 degrees Celsius.
Bhuntar recorded 25.8 degrees Celsius, Solan (24.5), Nahan (23.5), Manali (19), Shimla (18.6) and Kalpa (16.2).
The local MeT office has predicted dry weather in the region for next six days with marginal drop in mercury.
The prevailing conditions have become a reason for anxiety among farmers in lower parts of the state as there is insufficient moisture to begin Rabi sowing, officials added.
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