Shimla, January 2
After having disappointed the New Year revellers, there was a mild snowfall in the town today. The entire state was lashed by moderate rainfall after a long spell of dryness.
According to the Meteorological Department, about 6 cm of snow was recorded in upper parts of the town, especially the Jakhu area. There was heavier snowfall in Kufri, Narkanda, Fagu, Mashobra, Charabra and Chail as tourists made a beeline to enjoy the snow.
There was almost 10 cm of snow in Kalpa, 6 cm in Bhang near Manali till late afternoon. Other tribal areas of Kinnuar, Lahaul-Spiti, Bharmour, Patsio, Dhundi and Pangi also experienced snowfall.
The minimum temperature in the town was 2.4° C, while the maximum temperature was 7.1° C. The minimum temperature in Kalpa was -0.7°C , 3.2°C at Bhuntar and 4.6°C at Sundernagar.
Meteorological officials said with western disturbances still prevailing over Jammu and Kashmir and the adjoining area of Chamba, there was possibility of rain and snow during the next 24 hours. “The weather in the southern side of the state had started clearing up but the conditions in the North still indicate rain and snow,” said Mr Manmohan Singh, Director, Meteorological Department.
MANALI:
The tourist town of Manali on Monday experienced the first snowfall of the winter season. The lower areas were lashed by rain, renewing the cold wave in the region. The entire upper Manali region has been covered with a thick blanket of snow.
Widespread snow and rain broke the prolonged dry spell, bringing cheers to farmers and fruit growers who had been reeling under a drought-like condition.
The snowfall and rain will be beneficial for horticulturists and agriculturists, especially apple growers.
The higher reaches of the Kulu valley, including the Pir Panjal range, Brighu slopes, Chanderkhani, Marhi, Gulaba, Kothi, Dhundi and the Solang valley experienced the season’s first snowfall.
The 13,050-foot-high Rohtang Pass experienced the season’s heavy snowfall this morning, snapping the road link between Manali and the Lahaul valley.
The vehicular traffic on the Manali-Rohtang road was disrupted.
KANGRA:
The Kangra valley experienced the first rain of the season and the Dhauladhar range experienced snowfall.
The sky was overcast since morning and in the afternoon it started raining which continued for an hour. The Dhauladhar was covered with snow and the valley shivered in cold climatic conditions. The school-going children were the worst sufferers.
RECKONG PEO:
The tribal district of Kinnaur was today covered with snow as moderate to heavy snowfall continued throughout Monday, including tourist attractions of Sangla and Kalpa.
The lowest temperature recorded in the district during the day time on Monday was -10°C at Chitkul village on the Indo-Tibet border in Sangla valley.
The day time temperature at Kalpa on Monday was -0.6°C while at the district headquarters in Reckong Peo it was -0.3°C .
Most parts of the Sangla valley recorded heavy snowfall between 15 cm to 40 cm at various places.
CHANDIGARH:
High-velocity winds with speed exceeding 37 km per hour swept certain areas, including Chandigarh, during the day and the pale yellow sun peeped occasionally through the overcast sky.
A long dry spell prevailing in the region ended with rain in some areas in the plains, including Karnal, Srinagar, Delhi and Amritsar.
In Punjab, Patiala recorded 11.5°C, 4 degrees above normal. Ludhiana with 8.4°C and Amritsar with 5.6°C reported 2 degrees below normal.
In Haryana, Karnal showed 11.8°C, five degrees above normal, and Ambala recorded 11.4°C, 4 degrees above normal.
Dense clouds enveloped Chandigarh and its adjoining areas in Punjab and Haryana in the morning. The city, recording the minimum at 9.6°C , was lashed by high speed winds during the day. — UNI
