Himachal’s Manali, Kufri at sub-zero temperature as cold wave intensifies

Minimum temperature dropped 1-2 degrees below normal limits at many places. The Met department forecast rain and snowfall in the high and mid hills on 4 and 7 February.

People walk by a snow-clad tree on the Ridge in Shimla | PTI

Shimla: Cold wave conditions intensified in Himachal Pradesh on Monday with the minimum temperature dropping below normal limits at many places, the meteorological department said.

The high and mid hills may experience rain and snowfall on February 4 and 7, the Met office said.

“Cold wave has intensified its grip… The minimum temperature has plummeted 2 to 3 degrees below normal limits while the maximum temperature has settled 1 to 2 degrees below average,” said Manmohan Singh, Director of Met Centre, Shimla.

Tribal district Lahaul and Spiti’s administrative centre Keylong remained the coldest place in the state at minus 15.6 degrees Celsius, Singh said.

Kalpa recorded a low of minus 7.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Manali (minus 3.8), Kufri (minus 1.8) and Bhuntar (minus 0.3).

The minimum temperature in Dalhousie and Shimla was 1.8 and 2.5 degrees Celsius respectively, he added.

The warmest place in the state was Una where the maximum temperature settled at 22.6 degrees Celsius.