As tribal areas and other high-altitude areas experienced the first heavy snowfall of the year, normal life in Himachal Pradesh was disrupted and 134 roads, including four national highways, were closed.
Intermittent snowfall has continued since Tuesday night, with the local Meteorological Department office operating at remote locations in five districts of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, Raoul and Spiti on January 31 and February. Orange warnings for heavy snow and rainfall were issued in the area. 1.
Higher areas of Shimla district have recorded around 15 cm of snowfall since Tuesday night, MeT expert Sandeep Sharma told PTI on Wednesday, adding that the temperature dropped by four to five days.
Shimla city was lashed by thunderstorm, rain and sleet on Wednesday night.
Forecasts of snow and heavy snowfall have brought cheer to farmers and fruit and vegetable growers who have suffered huge crop losses due to drought.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture said the wet weather could be beneficial to the Rabi crop.
Stakeholders in the tourism and related industries are also excited as the much-awaited snowfall is likely to boost tourist numbers. “I saw snow for the first time and I enjoyed it,” said Hardik, a tourist from Gujarat.
Manali and Shimla were hit by the monsoon, with room occupancy during the New Year period at about 60%, the lowest in four decades.
A local hotelier said: “The snowfall will increase the number of tourists and we are hopeful that business will be good in the next few days.”
Moderate snowfall occurred in key tourist resorts such as Manali, Dalhousie, Sangla, Narkanda and Kufri, while sporadic rainfall occurred in the mid- and low-level hills and mountains, breaking the long-term drought.
The cold wave continues in the low mountainous areas, and heavy fog appears in some areas in the early morning. People wear sweaters.
Udaipur received 26 cm of snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by Kothi 15 cm, Sumdho 14.8 cm, Kumumseri 14.2 cm, Khadrala 14 mm, Bharmour 8.6 cm, Keylong 8 cm, Manali, Sangla and Shilaroo 5 cm each, and Koksar 2.5 centimeter.
Tissa in Chamba received 31 mm of rainfall, followed by Saloni with 25.2 mm, Tinder with 18 mm and Manali with 12 mm.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, up to 120 roads were closed in Lahaul and Spiti districts and around 400 transformers were disrupted in the state.
Kukumseri was the coldest at night with the minimum temperature at -2.8 degrees Celsius, Narkanda shivered at -1.3 degrees Celsius, Kalpa at -1.2 degrees Celsius, Kufri at 0.1 degrees Celsius, Dalhousie is 1 degree Celsius, Manali 1.4 degrees Celsius and Shimla 2.4 degrees Celsius.
According to the Meteorological Department, three conditions are likely to occur in Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla (including Shimla city and adjoining areas), Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi during this period. to four heavy rains or snowfalls.
The state experienced its driest period in January 2022 with about 99% rainfall deficit, and December 2023 with 83% rainfall deficit. The weather department expects the state to remain wet till February 5.
Forecasts say the snowfall may disrupt essential services such as water, electricity, communications and related services and reduce visibility.
Low temperatures and rainfall in the morning affected the attendance of primary school students in Hamirpur district as parents preferred not to send their children to school due to cold weather and chilly winds.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)
Follow us on Google news ,Twitter , and Join Whatsapp Group of thelocalreport.in
