Another spell of rain, snow brings down maximum temperature by 7°C in Himachal

SHIMLA: The cold wave tightened its grip on Himachal Pradesh on Friday with a fresh spell of snow and rain bringing down the maximum temperature seven degrees below normal.

Light to moderate snowfall occurred in the higher reaches of the state, including Gondala and Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district, which received 3cm of snowfall each and at Kalpa in Kinnaur that got 1cm of snow.

State meteorological department director Manmohan Singh said, “More snowfall and rainfall are likely in the middle and higher reaches of the state on Saturday. The weather will remain dry after that.”

The minimum temperatures in the hill stations of Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie and Dharamshala were 6.3, 2, 4.3 and 2.1 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperatures were 12, 9, 9.5 and 10.8 degrees, respectively.

The minimum temperature in Kalpa in Kinnaur district was 0.7 degrees, while the maximum was 4.3 degrees.

The lowest temperature in the state was minus 6 degrees Celsius at Keylong, while the highest temperature in the state was 17 degrees in Paonta Sahib.

DELAY IN HELICOPTER SERVICES IRKS PEOPLE OF LAHAUL-SPITI

With Rohtang Pass closed for traffic due to excessive snowfall, residents of Lahaul-Spiti have threatened the state government of a protest in Keylong, headquarters of the district over delay in helicopter services to airlift them.

The residents have been demanding helicopter services in case of any emergency during the winter season. Due to roads being closed, locals are dependent on helicopter services as the situation will remain same till June.

More than 150 residents have applied to leave the district while as many as 200 people, who want to come back to Lahaul-Spiti, are stranded in Kullu and are waiting for chopper to airlift them to their respective destinations.

District Congress spokesperson Anil Sehgal said “People are facing inconvenience and the government should provide helicopter services to the people at the earliest. ”

Lahaul-Spiti MLA Ram Lal Markanda said “The matter has been brought to the notice of CM Jai Ram Thakur and helicopter services will start soon.”