Heavy Freezing in Himachal Pradesh, Keylong being Coldest at -10.3° Celsius

 

Though skies were clear, penetrating cold waves flounced across Himachal Pradesh with the minimum and maximum temperatures dipping several gashes below freezing point on 29^th Dec 2020. The administrative centre of Lahaul and Spiti – Keylong, continued to be the coldest place in the state at -10.3° Celsius, a significant dip of over 3°compared to the minimum temperature of -6.7°C on Dec 28. The minimum temperature at Kalpa in Kinnaur (HP) was -6° C. The region shivered at -3.1°C the day before. The maximum temperature at Keylong and Kalpa was -1.5°C and 0.1° C, respectively.

A low of -2.9°C and maximum of -0.5°C was recorded at Dalhousie. The minimum temperature at Manali was -2.6°C, while state capital Shimla and the hill stations of Kufri, Dharamshala and Palampur recorded lows of 1.6°C, -0.2°C, 1.4°C and 1°C, respectively.  Nahan was the warmest place in the state of Himachal Pradesh and recorded a high of 17.9°C.

Beginning of snowfall from January 4^th 2021 has been predicted by the weather department when a western disturbance becomes active over the area. A yellow weather warning of thick ground frost and intense cold wave in the lower hills, including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra, on Dec 30^th and Dec 31^st.

Around 300 roads and some major highways in Himachal Pradesh remained closed for traffic due to the intemperate weather, causing disruption of 211 bus routes of Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Ninety-seven buses have been stuck at various places across the state. Maximum number of roads are closed in the tribal Lahaul-Spiti district of HP.

Leaves of the employees and thousands of workers, deployed in the field to remove snow from various stretches, have been cancelled by the HP Public works department due to the predictions of heavy snowfall.