Cold wave in north India; Leh freezes at minus 17 degrees, Shimla shivers at 1 degree

The mountainous region of cold desert Ladakh remains cut off from rest of the world for six months by surface due to heavy snowfall on higher reaches. The two gateway to Ladakh region Zojila pass from Srinagar side and Rothang and Taglangla pass from Manali side remain closed for vehicular traffic from November to April every year. People of region have been facing harsh climatic condition after mercury dropped down to minus 17 degrees Celsius on Saturday. Shimla too has been under the grip of intensified cold wave conditions. Entire hill state Himachal Pradesh is reeling under biting cold and night temperature is expected to decrease further in days to come. During past 24 hours, Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti recorded minimum temperature in state at minus 11.3 degree Celsius. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minus 5.2 degree Celsius, temperature in Manali dropped to minus 5.4 degree Celsius, Dalhousie recorded 0.7 degree Celsius and Shimla recorded 1.4 degree Celsius.