Himachal Pradesh witnessed a sharp drop in temperatures on Thursday, with minimum temperatures plunging by 3 to 11 degrees Celsius as snowfall continued in the higher reaches, according to the Meteorological Department.

Keylong, in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, recorded the coldest temperature in the state at minus 12.2 degrees Celsius. Snowfall persisted in the high-altitude tribal areas since Wednesday evening, with Gondle receiving the highest snowfall at 9 cm, followed by Keylong (6 cm), Kalpa (3.6 cm), and Kothi (2.5 cm).

Intermittent rain was reported in some regions, with Manali receiving 20 mm, Dalhousie 7 mm, Kataula 6.1 mm, and Bharmaur 5 mm.

Night temperatures remained frigid across the state, with Kukumseri recording minus 11.6 degrees Celsius, Tabo minus 10.8 degrees, and Kalpa minus 3.1 degrees. Popular tourist destinations Manali and Shimla shivered at minus 1.5 degrees and 1 degree Celsius, respectively. Dalhousie in Chamba registered a minimum of 1.6 degrees Celsius, while Kasauli recorded 2.7 degrees.

Dense fog reduced visibility to 200 meters in Bilaspur and Mandi, while a cold wave gripped Chamba, Una, and Berthin. Cold day conditions were also observed in Manali and Kalpa, the Met office reported.

The department has issued a warning for dense fog in isolated areas on Friday and predicts a fresh western disturbance affecting northwest India from Saturday.

Meanwhile, the state has recorded a significant rainfall deficit of 73 percent from January 1 to February 5, receiving only 26 mm of rain against the normal 96.7 mm.