Cold Wave Intensifies in Himachal Pradesh, Orange Alert Issued Till 23rd December

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is bracing for even colder weather in the coming days, as the Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for a severe cold wave, which will last until 23rd December. The state’s residents are already experiencing a significant drop in temperatures, with several areas recording sub-zero temperatures.

The cold wave has particularly affected regions such as Una, Sundarnagar, and Chamba, where severe cold was felt over the past 24 hours. In Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Mandi, the cold wave has also been evident, and temperatures have plummeted further in Kullu Valley. The mercury has dropped drastically in the Lahaul Valley, contributing to the increased cold outbreak in the Kullu area. Despite clear skies on Thursday, dense fog blanketed Kullu throughout the day, reducing visibility to as low as 100 meters.

In Chamba, while the sun shone brightly in the afternoon, temperatures still dipped below freezing during the morning and night hours. Tribal areas such as Bharmour and Pangi are facing further concerns due to a prolonged lack of rainfall or snowfall, which is impacting daily life.

The lowest temperature recorded on Thursday was in Tabo, at a chilling minus 8.3°C, while Una recorded the highest maximum temperature of 26°C. Other areas saw sub-zero temperatures, including Kukumsori at minus 4.9°C and Bajaura at minus 0.2°C.

Looking ahead, the weather pattern is expected to change around 27th December, with a new western disturbance set to bring rain and snowfall across the state. This shift in weather is likely to bring relief from the extreme cold, but it will also bring more challenges in the form of snowfall and rain.