Shimla, Jan. 2. (PTI): The biting cold wave sweeping Himachal Pradesh continued as higher reaches in tribal areas received snowfall even as minimum temperature rose by four to five degrees in mid and lower hills.

The state capital Shimla had a clear sky in the morning but strong velocity icy winds continued to sweep the region causing marginal fall of one degrees in the minimum temperature which stood at 5 degrees celsius.

The belt comprising Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Pangi and other higher hills and mountain passes reeled under piercing cold wave as fresh snowfall further dropped the mercury and minimum temperature ranged between minus 16 and minus 24 degrees celsius.