Intense cold wave grips Himachal

Intense cold wave and dry weather has gripped the state,with the state capital,Shimla,recording 2.6 degrees Celsius on Friday morning. The lower areas of Mandi,Una,Solan and Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded 0.5 degrees Celsius,0.6,minus 0.6 and minus 1.3 degrees Celsius,respectively. Keylong in the tribal belt of Lahaul and Spiti district recorded minus 13.2 degrees. There is no forecast of rain or snow in the next 24 hours,says the meteorological department,adding that while it may rain and snow in the higher reaches towards December 28,the weather in the lower and mid hills is likely to remain dry.