CHANDIGARH | REGION | NATION

Snow in HP, J&K
Manali, March 20
The 13,050-foot Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti valley, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir experienced snow, while the lower parts of the valley were lashed by rains.

Minimum temp rises in Punjab, Haryana

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Read under headings Max (maximum temperature), Min (minimum temperature), R (rainfall in past 24 hours) and TR (Total rain since January 1):

Snow in HP, J&K
Our Correspondent & Agencies

Manali, March 20
The 13,050-foot Rohtang pass, the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti valley, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir experienced snow, while the lower parts of the valley were lashed by rains.

Due to fresh snowfall on the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal ranges, including Hamta pass, Chandrakhani pass, Marhi, Gulaba, Kothi, Dhundi and Solang ski slopes, the entire upper Manali region remained in the grip of a severe cold wave.

The Manali-Leh highway has become accessible by vehicles till Marhi, 35 km from here.

According to sources due to heavy snowfall on the Rohtang pass and Marhi, all tourists buses and taxis stopped near Gulaba, about 23 km from Manali and had to return.

The fresh snowfall on the Rohtang pass, the dream destination tourists who flock to this pass during the summer months, brought cheers and smiles on the faces of taxi operators, luxury bus operators and local hoteliers. They fell that the snow will boost the tourism.

The rains also affected the spraying of oil on apple trees to protect them from scale and bark disease. This operation is conducted before the sprouting of apple blossoms.

Srinagar: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and Khilanmarg besides tourist spots of Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Ahrabal, Deksum, Shopian and Baltal experienced about six inches to one feet of fresh snowfall since last evening.

The holy Amarnath caves, Mahaguns, Sheshnag and Chandanwari also experienced heavy snowfall.

Srinagar city and its adjoining areas had heavy rains since last evening.

The Srinagar-Jammu national highway was thrown open for vehicular traffic despite heavy rains at Banihal, Jawahar Tunnel, Ramban and Ramsu.

The 434 km Srinagar-Leh national highway, which was closed for traffic in the first week of December last year for six months, also experienced about 3 feet of snowfall during the past two days.

Minimum temp rises in Punjab, Haryana
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 20
Rainfall: Rain or snow has occurred at many places in Jammu and Kashmir and at isolated places in Himachal Pradesh. Rain or thundershowers have occurred at isolated places in Punjab. Weather was mainly dry in the rest of the region. The chief amounts of precipitation in cm. are Himachal Pradesh: Bhang 2 and Solang Nala 1; Jammu and Kashmir: Batote, Banihal, Quazigund and Srinagar 1 each. Snowfall Report (cm) Himachal Pradesh: Dhundi 22 and Patsio 12.

Temperature: Past 24 hours change: Maximum temperatures rose in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, fell in Jammu and Kashmir and changed little elsewhere.

Departures: They were markedly above normal in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, appreciably above normal in Haryana, Rajasthan and east Uttar Pradesh and above normal in the rest of the region. The highest temperature in the region was 40.6°C recorded at Banswara (Rajasthan).

Past 24 hours change: Minimum temperatures rose appreciably in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and East Rajasthan and changed little elsewhere. Departures: They were markedly above normal in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, East Rajasthan and Uttaranchal, appreciably above normal in Punjab, West Rajasthan and East Uttar Pradesh and above normal in the rest of the region. The lowest temperature in the plains was 15.6°C recorded at Amritsar (Punjab).

Forecast valid until the morning of 22nd: Rain or snow will occur at many places in Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal and at a few places in Jammu and Kashmir. Rain or thundershowers are likely at a few places in Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and at isolated places in East Rajasthan. Weather will be mainly dry in West Rajasthan. Thundersqualls/hailstorms are likely at isolated places in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal.

Forecasts for Delhi and neighbourhood valid until the morning of 22nd: Generally cloudy sky with thundery developments and light rain accompanied with squall in some areas. Strong surface winds are likely from tomorrow afternoon. Fall in maximum and minimum temperatures and will be around 31°C and 17°C, respectively.

Farmers weather bulletin for Delhi: Forecast valid until the morning of 22nd: Light rain is likely at a few places. Squalls with wind exceeding 65 kmph are likely at a few places.

Outlook for the subsequent two days: No large change.