Fresh spell of snow, rain in Manali, Lahaul

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under intense cold with icy winds sweeping the region following a fresh spell of snow and rain in the high hills. Minimum temperature was recorded several degrees below zero in snowbound areas across the state on Thursday.
It has been snowing in Manali and Lahaul valley of Lahaul-Spiti district for the last three days, forcing people to remain indoors due to freezing cold.In the last three days, Rohtang pass received over 3 feet snow. Most roads are blocked in Lahaul valley. Tourist spots of Solang, Kothi, Gulaba near Manali were covered under thick snow cover on Thursday. While some tourists managed to reach Solang to enjoy the snow, others did not take any chances and preferred to enjoy the snow at Nehru Kund near Bahang. Manali town too recorded minimum temperature below zero after snowfall. With more snowfall and rain predicted, cold conditions are set to aggravate in coming days.
According to Shimla Meteorological Centre, weather would remain dry in the lower and middle hills of Himachal Pradesh for the next two days, but the high hills would continue to receive snowfall during. From February 1 to 3, rain and snow would occur in the lower, middle and high hills in several places again.
Shimla remained gripped under intense cold wave on Thursday with minimum temperature of 0.6 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 7.2 degrees Celsius; Manali recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 2.6 degrees Celsius; Dharamshala recorded minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 13.2 degrees Celsius; Solan recorded minimum temperature of 3.5 degrees Celsius and maximum temperature of 13.5 degrees Celsius.
In the state, lowest minimum temperature of minus 8.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in Keylong in Lahaul, where maximum temperature was 2.9 degrees Celsius. Kalpa in tribal Kinnaur district recorded a minimum temperature of minus 6 degrees Celsius, while maximum temperature here was 3.4 degrees Celsius. Highest maximum temperature of 14.2 degrees Celsius in the state was recorded in Kangra, while minimum temperature was 6.4 degrees Celsius.