The lower hills of Himachal Pradesh are currently experiencing an intense cold wave. The local meteorological department has issued an orange alert for severe cold conditions across Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi districts, effective for four days starting Monday.
In addition to the cold wave, the weather department has forecasted light rain and snowfall in some areas of the mid and high hills until Thursday. Minimum temperatures have remained below normal, and daytime temperatures have dropped by two to three degrees.
Tabo registered the coldest temperature in the state at minus 11.6 degrees Celsius. Other cold spots included Sumdo at minus 5.3 degrees, Kusumseri at minus 4.8 degrees, and Kalpa at minus 1.8 degrees Celsius. In contrast, Una recorded a low of 1.0 degree, followed closely by Bhuntar at 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, Una was the warmest location in the state with a high of 23.8 degrees, down from 24.5 degrees on Saturday.
Furthermore, a yellow warning has been issued for dense fog in areas around the Bhakra Dam reservoir and Balh Valley in Mandi from December 24 to 26. During this period, thick ground frost is expected in some isolated regions of the lower hills.
An active western disturbance is anticipated to impact the western Himalayan region and nearby plains starting December 27. Light rain and snow are expected at isolated locations in the state on December 23 and 24, with more widespread precipitation on December 27 and 28, leading to a gradual decline in temperatures.
High-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes are enduring severe cold wave conditions, with temperatures plummeting 14 to 18 degrees below freezing. In many mid and high hill areas, water pipes have frozen, along with natural water sources like springs and tributaries of snow-fed rivers, which has hindered water flow and significantly affected hydropower generation.
Farmers in the region are particularly concerned about the continuing dry weather and the presence of frost, which poses a threat to Rabi crops that were sown in November and December.
