Rivers, lakes freeze as cold wave intensifies in Himachal Pradesh

MANALI: Water bodies have started freezing in many parts of Himachal Pradesh, indicating onset of a harsh winter ahead. While the rivers waters have started to freeze, the waterfalls have turned into huge icicles.
Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul, which merge to form the Chenab, have frozen under extreme cold conditions. A layer of ice has covered most of the surface of the Chandra, while edges of Chenab too have turned into ice.Chenab’s tributary Miyar has also started freezing.
Waterfalls in Lahaul and upper areas of Manali, Kinnaur and Chamba have turned hanging ice.
Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.1 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, the lowest in the state. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees Celsius, Manali recorded minus 3.4 degrees Celsius. Night temperature of Shimla settled at 2.7 degrees Celsius.
“Waterfalls in Lahaul have frozen. Edges of Chandra-Bhaga rivers are covered with ice. Ice is flowing in the waters of Chenab. It is so cold, even the sun is giving no warmth. January and February will surely bring record cold this season,” Sudarshan, a local resident, said.
Temperature in some parts of Spiti valley have dipped below minus 15 degrees Celsius. The source of Beas river near Rohtang has also frozen.