Shimla, Jan 9 - A cold wave continued to grip the hills of Himachal Pradesh Saturday with Keylong region recording the lowest temperature in the state.

"Keylong (in Lahaul and Spiti district) was the coldest place in the state. It recorded a minimum temperature of minus 11.7 degrees Celsius," meteorological office director Manmohan Singh told IANS.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district was the second coldest place with a minimum temperature of minus 5.6 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in Shimla was 4.2 degrees Celsius. Singh said: "Shimla recorded a rise of 0.4 degrees from Friday."

Sundernagar in Mandi district recorded a low of 1.6 degrees while the minimum temperature in Bhuntar in Kullu district was 0.6 degrees Celsius. (IANS)