Snowfall in Manali, hailstorm in Shimla intensify cold conditions in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: A fresh bout of snowfall in Manali, and hailstorm in Shimla and other parts have intensified cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh, the Meteorological Department said on Thursday. Manali in Kullu district received 11 cm of snowfall from 5.30 pm on Wednesday to 8.30 am on Thursday, the MeT office in Shimla said.

Kinnaur's Kalpa got 14 cm of snow during the period, it added. Kinnaur's Pooh received 3 to 4 inches of snowfall on Wednesday night, a district official said.

Several areas in mid and lower hills and plains witnessed hailstorm and thunderstorm, it added. The minimum temperature in Manali and Kufri was recorded at minus 1.4 and minus 0.6 degrees Celsius respectively.

Tribal district Lahaul and Spiti's administrative centre Keylong continued to be the coldest place in the state at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, it said adding Kalpa had a low of minus 2.4 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature in Shimla and Dalhousie was 4.2 and 1.4 degrees Celsius.