The Himachal Pradesh Emergency Operations Center said more than 470 roads, including four national highways, remained closed in the state on Tuesday due to snowfall and rain in some places.

According to the center, 473 roads were closed, 398 transformers and 38 water systems were disrupted.

According to the Meteorological Department, Himachal Pradesh received 6.8 mm rainfall in January against the normal rainfall of 85.3 mm, a shortfall of 92%, making it the driest month in the past 17 years.

In January 1996, the rainfall deficit rate was 99.6%, and in 2007, the rainfall deficit rate was 98.5%.

Of these, 153 roads were closed in Raoul and Spiti, 134 in Shimla, 68 in Kullu, 61 in Chamba, 46 in Mandi and Sirmaur. 8 roads, 2 roads in Kinnaur and 1 road in Kangra.

According to data shared by the MeT office, in the last 24 hours, Khadrala received 4 cm of snowfall, Bharmour 3 cm, Kufri 2 cm, Gondla 1.3 cm, Sangla 0.5 cm, and Kalpa , Kukumseri, Narkanda and Keylong also received more snowfall.

MK Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, said the snowfall has also boosted tourist arrivals in Shimla state, with tourist arrivals increasing by 30 to 70 per cent last weekend, while pinning his hopes on a Good season.

Palampur was hit by hail and light rain occurred in some parts of the state. Mandi and Chopal received 10 mm rainfall each, Slapper 9 mm rainfall, Bhuntar 8.5 mm rainfall, Seobagh 8 mm rainfall, Dharamshala 7.7 mm rainfall and Sundernagar 7 cm rainfall.

Minimum and maximum temperatures remain below normal. Raoul and Kukumseri in Spiti recorded a minimum night temperature of -8.6 degrees Celsius.

The local weather bureau predicts that the state will experience dry weather for the next six days until February 12.

Snow and rain also bring cheer to agronomists and horticulturists as snow is considered a white fertilizer for apples while rain is good for rabi crops. Drought has affected rabi crops in the plains.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from associated news agency – PTI)