Himachal Pradesh Weather: Severe cold continues to wreak havoc in the lower hilly areas of Himachal Pradesh. The local meteorological department has issued an 'orange' alert of severe cold for four days from Monday (23 December) in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi districts.

According to the department, the minimum temperature was recorded below normal but the weather remained dry and the temperature dropped by two to three degrees during the day. Tabo was the coldest in the state, where the minimum temperature was recorded at minus 11.6 degrees, while Sumdo, Kusumseri and Kalpa recorded minimum temperatures of minus 5.3 degrees, minus 4.8 degrees and minus 1.8 degrees Celsius respectively.

Water froze in pipes
There is severe cold in high altitude tribal areas and mountain passes, where the mercury remains 14-18 degrees below freezing point. Water froze in pipes at many places in the middle and high hills, along with water froze in waterfalls and small rivers, due to which the flow of water reduced and hydroelectricity production was badly affected.

How much did the temperature reach?
The weather department has also predicted light rain and snowfall at some places in the middle and high hilly areas till Thursday. At the same time, the minimum temperature in Una was recorded at 1.0 degree while the temperature in Bhuntar was 1.5 degree Celsius.

This will be the situation in the coming days
According to the Meteorological Department, Una was the hottest place in the state, where the maximum temperature was recorded at 23.8 degrees Celsius, which is less than Saturday's 24.5 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Center has issued a 'yellow' alert of dense fog in the Bhakra Dam reservoir area in Mandi and some parts of the Balh Valley from 24 to 26 December. According to the Meteorological Department, the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains are likely to be affected by an active western disturbance from 27 December. The department said that light rain and snowfall is likely at some places on 23-24 December and at many places on 27-28 December.