Himachal Pradesh gets respite from cold conditions

The mid and lower hills of Himachal Pradesh had some respite from biting cold conditions as day temperatures rose by a few notches but the higher hills and tribal areas continued to reel under piercing cold wave conditions.

The local MeT office has predicted rains or snow at isolated places in tribal areas and higher hills as a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalaya region from February 16 onwards.

The high altitude tribal areas groaned under freezing cold conditions as minimum temperatures stayed between minus 12 and minus 18 degrees Celsius while Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts recorded a low of minus 8.7 degree and 0.4 degree

The rise in temperature is considered good for wheat crop as it would prevent out break of “yellow rust” and crop prospects would be good. There is sufficient moisture in the soil for good wheat and other Rabi crops, likely to be matured by mid-April, said a senior scientist of farm university.