Shimla:
People in higher hills and valleys of Himachal Pradesh had no respite from cold wave conditions as sky remained overcast and strong velocity icy winds swept the region today.
The minimum temperatures remained below five degree across the state and biting cold wave conditions continued unabated.
Keylong and Kalpa in twin tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature at minus 9.7 degrees Celsius and minus 3.6 degrees, while key tourist resort of Manali and Bhuntar recorded a low of minus 18 degrees and minus 0.2 degrees respectively, followed by Sundernagar 0.4 degrees, Chamba 0.7 degrees, Una 1.3 degrees, Solan 2.0 degrees, Palampur 2.4 degrees, Nahan 3.8 degrees, Shimla 4.1 degrees and Dharamsala 5.6 degrees C.
The high altitude tribal areas shivered under freezing cold wave conditions with minimum temperature staying between minus 13 and minus 24 degrees C.
All natural sources of water like lakes, springs and tributaries of major rivers in tribal areas have remained frozen for the past five weeks, drastically reducing the discharge of water in snowfed Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers, causing sharp fall in hydro power generation.
The maximum day temperatures dropped by one to two degree across the state and Solan was hottest with a high of 20.4 degrees, followed by Una 18.4 degrees, Nahan 15.0 degrees, Sundernagar 14.0 degrees, Shimla 13.7 degrees, Dharamshala 13.4 degrees, Bhunter 11.2 degrees and Kalpa 8.8 degrees.
The local MeT office has predicted rains or snow at isolated places in higher hill during next 48 hours and widespread rains and snow in the state from January 7 onwards.