By: ML Verma
Shimla: Many lakes were frozen in the upper reached of Himachal Pradesh as mercury further plunged during the last 24 hours as icy winds swept across the mountain ranges.
The frozen Kamrunag lake in Mandi district, about 65 km from Mandi town. The journey includes a 6-km trek uphill on foot. Photos by: Kishori Lal
Kamrunag lake, situated at about 12,000 feet above sea level in Mandi district froze in ice as mercury further receded in the high and middle Himalayas. Other downstreams and lakes were also reported frozen in the wake of fresh cold wave in Kullu and Mandi district. Most snow-fed water bodies in the tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti have already turned solid since January.
Keylong was coldest in the state when mercury remained two degree below normal and settled at minus 11.7 degree Celcius followed by Kalpa at three degrees below normal at minus 7.5 degree C. Solan was cold at 1.8 degrees, Shimla 2.7 degrees, Sundernagar 3.5 degrees and Bhuntar 3.7 degreses, respectively. Dharamshala was four degree below normal at 5.1 degrees, Una 4.7 degrees, Palampur 5.4 degrees, Mandi five degrees and Nahan 9.5 degees. Met Office forecast rain or snow at isolated parts on high reaches in the coming 24 hours.
