Himachal sees rise in temperatures, rain in store

Shimla, March 23 (IANS) The hills of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday saw a marginal rise in the temperatures, but the Met Office has forecast chances of rain and snowfall in the coming week."There are chances of more rain and snowfall in the state on March 25 to 26," an official with the India Meteorological Department here told IANS.He said the western disturbances - storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region - would be active in the region again.Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state with a low of minus 3.2 degrees.Shimla recorded the minimum temperature at 9.2 degrees Celsius, against a low of 6.5 degrees on Friday. The maximum is expected to hover in the city around 18 degrees.Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded a low of minus 0.4 degrees, while it was 4.2 degree in Manali, 7.6 degrees in Dalhousie and 10.2 degrees in Dharamsala.The towns on Friday recorded the day temperatures at 12 degrees, 16.6 degrees, 11.4 degrees and 20.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
--IANS vg/ksk