Shimla: The cold wave across western Himalayas got more intense as Shimla recorded –4.4 degree Celsius, the lowest temperature in January in 15 years, the met office said today.
Assistant Meteorologist in the Shimla Meteorological Department R K Lakhanpal said here that the town had recorded a night temperature minus 4.8 degree Celsius 15 years ago on January 12 in 1993.
The sun did shine brightly through the day in Shimla and other adjoining areas and people took time out to bask at the historic The Ridge Maidan and other sunny places.
The sub-zero temperatures froze the water supply to chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal official residence at Oakover and he was forced to re-schedule or call off prior engagements.
Lakhanpal said north westerly winds blowing across the state were responsible for the intense coldwave conditions, which have been aggravated due to frost during the nights.
“The minimum temperatures in the state would continue to fall for the next 48 hrs before cold wave conditions ease,†he said
Several places in mid and lower hills of the state are recording night temperatures below freezing point despite dry weather conditions for the past few days, he said.
The continuing fall in the night temperatures has affected the supply of drinking water in the hill state, which recorded sub zero temperatures for the fourth consecutive day today after recording a minimum temperature of – 1.2 degrees yesterday.
The met office said the minimum temperatures across the state registered a fall last night with the night temperature at Patseio in Lahaul Spiti plummeting to – 20 degree Celsius, – 14.3 at Keylong, – 13.4 at Dhundi and – 9 degree Celsius at Solang Nullah.
The night temperature at Bhang Manali in Kullu district fell to – 6 degrees as compared to – 2.5 degrees recorded yesterday, while Una recorded a night temperature of – 4 degree Celsius.
It said Sundernagar recorded a minimum temperature of – 2 degree, Bhuntar – 6 degree, Kalpa – 11.5 degree, Mandi 1 degree, Nahan 4.6 degree and Palampur – 0.3 degree Celsius.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
