Manali, nearby hills covered in snow

Manali and its nearby hills in Himachal Pradesh received more snow on Friday and are wrapped in a white blanket to the glee of tourists, the Met Office said.

People in the capital shivered as icy winds along with snow in higher reaches in the state kept the minimum temperature at 0.2 degree Celsius. Manali recorded minus 5.4 degree.

The Solang ski slopes and picturesque Kothi, both near Manali, were covered in snow, attracting tourists and skiers.

"Snowfall occurred at isolated places in Kullu and Kinnaur districts in the past 24 hours. Cold wave prevailed in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Kangra and Chamba districts," an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.

Kalpa, some 250 km from Shimla, saw snow on Thursday, with the minimum temperature dipping to minus 6 degree Celsius.

Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state at minus 11.4 degree Celsius.

It was 3.2 degrees in Dharamsala and minus 1.1 degree in Dalhousie town.

As news of the snowfall flashed across the plains, tourists started arriving in Manali and other places.

Those in the hospitality industry are happy as they are expecting a record number of footfalls this weekend owing to snow.

The weatherman said there are chances of more rain or snow at isolated places in the state till December 30. - IANS