Severe cold in Himachal, rain disrupts flights
By IANSTuesday, February 15, 2011
SHIMLA - There was no respite from the biting cold wave Tuesday as night temperatures continued to stay around and below freezing point due to continuous snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh. However, the met department here predicted more rain and snow in the state till Wednesday.
Incessant rain across the state hampered air traffic. “Flights from Delhi to Kullu, Shimla and Dharamsala could not be operated,” an official at the airport here said.
Likewise, chopper flights in snow-bounds areas in Lahaul and Spiti district could not be operated due to inclement weather.
Incessant snow also hampered vehicular traffic on the highways in Shimla, Kinnaur, Mandi and Kullu districts.
Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district recorded a low of minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, while it was minus 2 degrees Celsius in Kalpa in Kinnaur district. Both the towns have recorded 8 and 13.6 cm of snow since Monday.
The picturesque tourist spots of Manali in Kullu district and Dalhousie in Chamba district have also experienced intermittent spells of snow in the morning.
Shimla, that saw 10.7 mm of rain, recorded a low of 3.8 degrees Celsius, while Bhuntar and Dharamsala shivered with minimum temperatures at 6.5 degrees and 3.1 degree Celsius respectively.
Una town recorded the maximum rainfall of 50.6 mm in the state, while it was 29 mm in Palampur and 16.8 mm in Dharamsala.
The weather office said some places in Kangra, Kullu, Chamba and Lahaul and Spiti districts would experience heavy snow till Feb 16.
