Chamba:
The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh are among the many parts of North India in the grip of a severe cold wave. Fresh snowfall has been reported in Chamba district of Himachal and most lakes in the area are frozen with temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 9 degrees Celsius.
Boating facilities were completely shut down in Panch Pula in Chamba after boats were stranded in the frozen waters of the lake.
The mid and lower hills of Himachal yesterday also had moderate rains, accompanied by strong icy winds and thick fog which engulfed the region and disrupted normal life. Solan, Sarahan and Mashobra received 6 mm of rains while Chail and Kandaghat had 5 mm of rains
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday was stranded at Rohroo and could not reach Manali for inaugurating the Winter Carnival as weather conditions were not conducive for landing of helicopter.
The Indian Meteorological or Met department has warned of rains or snow at some places in the Shimla, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and parts of Kullu and Chamba and light rains or snow at isolated places in mid and higher hills in the coming days.