Amid intensifying cold wave conditions in Himachal Pradesh, the Shimla District Administration has assured residents and tourists of full preparedness to handle adverse situations.
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap, addressing the media on Wednesday, stated, “All stakeholder departments are prepared to coordinate in case of adverse situations. I request all people to avoid unauthorized parking as it can cause traffic which impacts the whole city. Please follow the police advisory on traffic.”
The Deputy Commissioner also highlighted that roads connecting Shimla to other areas remain open, but roads to upper regions, though cleared, should be avoided during early mornings and late evenings due to slippery conditions. “Police have been stationed at the bifurcations to guide tourists and locals,” Kashyap added.
Himachal Pradesh has seen a significant drop in temperatures, with Shimla recording a minimum temperature of 2.0°C. The situation is harsher in higher-altitude regions like Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Chamba, where sub-zero temperatures prevail.
Over the past 24 hours, Lahaul-Spiti’s Tabo recorded the lowest temperature at -10.6°C, followed by Kukumseri at -8.2°C and Kaza at -6.9°C. Reckong-Peo in Kinnaur registered -0.9°C, while Manali saw temperatures dip to -0.3°C. Kufri and Narkanda recorded 0.1°C and -2.8°C, respectively, with Dharamshala reporting a slightly warmer 5.02°C.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reiterated that a cold wave is classified when the minimum temperature is 10°C or below in plains and 0°C or below in hilly regions.
The biting cold has impacted daily life and travel across the state, with authorities urging caution, particularly in snow-prone and high-altitude regions.