A spell of fresh snowfall was experienced in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Jakhu and Charabra on Thursday.
“Due to western disturbance, slight snowfall was received. This weather condition will persist for two days and temperature will rise from February 5,” according to a local India Meteorological Department (IMD) official.
The weather department has predicted, scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain/snow with isolated thunderstorm, lightning and hail very likely over Western Himalayan region till February 5.
“Isolated heavy rainfall/snowfall is likely over Himachal Pradesh February 4,” it said.
January witnessed a 53% rain deficit much to the worry of farmers and fruit growers.
The strategic Hindustan-Tibet Road or National Highway 22 was closed for traffic at Kufri and Narkanda near Shimla due to the snowfall. Kufri received 8cm of snowfall. Shimla, which received 2cm of snowfall till 10.30am, recorded a minimum temperature of 1.8 degrees Celsius.
Kalpa, the headquarters of Kinnaur district, received 11.4cm of snowfall, while Keylong, the district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti, got 3cm of snow. Manali, a popular tourist destination, got 4cm of snowfall on Thursday and recorded a low of 4 degrees Celsius.
