The parts of Himachal on Friday were lashed by rain and hailstorms while high hills including Rohtang pass received fresh snow, bringing back winter-like conditions as mercury dipped sharply.
Rohtang pass, which is covered with 20 to 30ft of snow, received 6cm more snow. The peaks around Manali, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba are getting more snow. The middle and lower hills of the state are receiving rain since Friday early morning. The temperature at many places has dipped abnormally. The minimum temperature of the state is 2 to 3 degrees C below and maximum temperature is 6 to 7 degrees C below the normal temperature during this time of the season.
At 5.2 degrees C, Keylong recorded lowest night temperature in the state while the day temperature was 16 degrees C. Kalpa (6.9), Manali (7.6), Dalhousie (10.9), Shimla (12.2) and Dharamshala (16) also saw sharp fall in temperature. The maximum day temperature at these stations was 19, 19, 17.9, 22 and 23.8 degrees C respectively.
The drop in both day and night temperatures have forced residents of Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, Bharmour, Kinnaur and higher regions of the state to wear heavy woollens. On Friday, people had to switch on their room heaters.
According to meteorological centre, Shimla, the temperature in state has decreased by 2 to 7 degrees C in last 24 hours. The centre has predicted more rain till Sunday.
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