Another Change: Snow in Himachal Pradesh Amid Rain, Extremely Cold
Shimla, February 20: The weather in Himachal Pradesh has dramatically changed and a new wave of cold has settled among the people of the state due to heavy snowfall and rain that have been occurring in different parts of the state. The hilly regions are witnessing heavy snowfall and the plains intermittent rains with high winds. The temperature dip from these weather altercations is giving the chill statewide, with cold weather mixing in routine working now.
The Meteorological Department stated, the snowfall in the heighted altitude areas of Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba have been running since Thursday morning. Known tourist spots like Kufri a and Narkanda have been wrapped in a thick white blanket of fresh snow. Narkanda has received a fresh snowfall of four inches, leading to the suspension of vehicles.
Traffic Disruption and safety measures
Travel on multiple roads has been hampered and dangerous with the heavy snow. Shimla Police has issued an advisory asking people to drive safely, especially on the highways and in areas where visibility is low due to the snow. Traffic on National Highway-5 has been badly hit and vehicles have been diverted from Sainj-Sunni road. Interestingly, in case of an emergency, the police have released telephone numbers (0177-2812344 or 112) that could help during last need situation.
Local authorities are keeping a close eye on the safety of commuters as the weather continues to deteriorate. Due to heavy snow accumulation, many roads connecting high-altitude areas have been closed particularly in the Chaupal subdivision of Shimla district. Traffic is also affected near the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, in Kullu district. Authorities are advising residents and travelers to stay atop weather forecasts and follow safety instructions, as the snow has made road conditions treacherous in a number of areas.
Difficulties in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba
Along with Shimla and Kullu, several areas of Himachal Pradesh are witnessing the brunt of the inclement weather. Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts also received fresh snow making local travel difficult. People in these areas are facing hardships, with roads and paths blocked by snow and continuous snowfalls piling up in the high altitude.
Locals in these regions have been struggling to move about as temperatures keep falling. The continued paralysis of trade has also disrupted the delivery of essential goods and services, and the government is keen to keep and open roads as fast as possible. areas of Sirmaur, the snowfall reached the lower regions, further adding to the woes of the residents as well as the visitors.
Plains Nor’easter Gives Farmers New Hope
As for snow, it is disrupting the hilly area where the plains of Himachal Pradesh are witnessing hailstorm and strong winds intermittently, especially in Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur districts. The downpours have been a welcomed relief to farmers and gardeners in the state that have struggled for weeks with drought-like conditions. The recent weather patterns have greatly benefited the water availability in the region.
Weather experts say this snow and rain is set to benefit agriculture. The snow in the higher regions of Kullu, Shimla, and Chamba, in particular, will also turn out to be beneficial for apple orchards, as this will ensure adequate moisture during the growing season. This will also help in the development of other fruit crops, which have been facing distress in the past 6-9 months due to insufficient rainfall.
On the flip side, the plains are witnessing rains which are considered beneficial for wheat and Rabi crops that are now in the growing stage. Farmers are optimistic as this weather might help their crops by increasing the yields and helping to buffer the recently dry periods.
Severe Cold Wave, Temperatures Drop
As snow and rain continue to fall, temperatures in much of the state have plummeted. Several places such as Keylong, Kukumseri, Tabo and Kalpa have recorded below freezing minimum temperatures with temperatures going down to negative. The cold wave in the states, is mainly intensified due to the dropping of temperature and then its turning into wind, that was mostly observed in the popular hill stations like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie etc.
The freeze has complicated daily life for both residents and visitors in the region, as spending time outdoors in these conditions can be hazardous. The cold has also hit tourists who have visited Himachal Pradesh to enjoy this winter season, with many of them facing difficulty to go for sightseeing due to heavy snow and freezing conditions.
Number of RainFalls with orange alert for more snowfall
Heavy snowfall and heavy rain is very likely to occur in parts of the state in the next 24 hours and an orange alert has been issued by the Meteorological Department. According to the alert, the intensity of weather will increase in the coming days, with heavy snowfall in the mountains and heavy rainfall in the plains. According to the forecast for some points, thunderstorms and lightning have also been checked.
Orange alert is an advisory kind of warning where people are advised to take precautions in view of the impending severe weather. Authorities have been instructed to anticipate the storm’s potential impact and make emergency services available to tackle any adverse situation.
With more rough weather ahead, locals, tourists and officials alike are preparing for this cold stretch to persist. While Himachal Pradesh reels under an oscillating weather, the impending winter reminds everybody to get ready and stay alert. However, there are many things you can do to stay safe — such as ensuring road safety, protecting crops or keeping up to date with weather alerts.
Looking Ahead: Brace for More Bad Weather
Himachalis are also in transition with a wave of cold hitting the people and weather finally changing. The interruption of the harvest season, however, has brought timely relief to agriculture, which suffered for five years in drought — giving hopes for a better harvest. There will likely be more days of snow and rain followed by cold winds, requiring residents to exercise caution and follow weather forecasts closely.
Witness to these trying circumstances, the strength of the people of Himachal Pradesh shines through. Read on below for how the weather is affecting the region while the state is being placed on high alert to ensure residents and visitors remain safe. Such weather comes in the face of changing Himachali winters, which has led to seasonal shifts and the intent of being prepared.
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