From correspondents in Himachal Pradesh, India, 08:02 PM IST

The high altitude areas in Himachal Pradesh Wednesday received fresh spells of snow, intensifying a cold wave across the state, a weather official said here.

Met department director Manmohan Singh said snowfall was reported from Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba and the upper regions of Kullu districts.

In Shimla, cloudy weather coupled with cold winds sent temperature plunging. The town recorded a day temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius in comparison to Tuesday's 17.9 degrees.

The Met office has forecast rain or thundershower in the lower and middle hills, and rain or snow at many places in higher hills Thursday.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)