Dharamshala, Dec 26 (UNI) The cold wave conditions continued to prevail in Himachal Pradesh with the entire tribal belt and other higher reaches experiencing fresh spell of snowfall, while rains lashed the mid and lower areas of the state today, the Met office said.

Almost all higher reaches in Kinnuar, Lahaul and Spiti, Kangra, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi and Sirmaur districts received fresh snowfall, while the mid and lower areas of the state were lashed by light to moderate rains since morning.

The met office said famous tourist spots of Narkanda, about 55 kms from here, and Kufri, about 15 km from Shimla received snowfall much to the delight of the tourists who have come here in hordes.

The day and night temperatures in the state have plummeted in the state following fresh snowfall, with Kalpa in Kinnuar recording a night temperature of minus 1.8 degree Celsius.

The mid and lower hills of the state were lashed by light rains followed by strong velocity winds, forcing people to remain indoors, the Met office said.

Kalpa and Keylong in Kinnuar district had recorded five cm of snow till noon, while Udiapur and Dhundi had six to eight cms of snow.

The met office said Dhauladhar Ranges, overlooking the Kangra Valley, were experiencing heavy snowfall, while Dharamshala and other areas experienced intermittent rains, creating intense cold wave conditions in the region.

Shimla recorded a night temperature of 5.7 degrees, while Sundernagar and Bhuntar recorded night temperatures of 1.6 and 0.4 degrees Celsius respectively, the met office said.

The met office has predicted heavy snowfall or rains at several places in the state during the next 24 hours.

UNI AS HS PK VV1719