SHIMLA, Feb 1: Tourist resort Kufri near Shimla received the season’s third major spell of snowfall on Sunday, reviving winter festivities and drawing tourists in large numbers, while several parts of Himachal Pradesh experienced rain and snow under the influence of an active western disturbance.
The fresh snowfall has added to the festive mood in Kufri, with visitors enjoying snow activities and hoteliers reporting an uptick in footfall. High altitude areas also benefited, with the High Altitude Sports Centre at Shillaroo emerging as the main snow hub during the spell. With fresh snowfall twenty years old snowsport Sking would expected to start soon, local businessman Rajesh Gupta said.
As per the India Meteorological Department, Shillaroo and Kothi in Kullu recorded the highest snowfall of about five centimetres each, followed by Kufri with around four centimetres. Gondhla in Lahaul Spiti received nearly three centimetres of snow, Khadrala of Shimla about 2.5 centimetres, Sangla in Kinnaur around 2.1 centimetres, while light snowfall was reported from Jot and Kalpa.
Rainfall activity was more pronounced in mid and lower hills, with Manali recording the highest rainfall of around 10 mm, followed by Sujanpur Tira with nearly 7.8 mm and Sarahan close to 7.3 mm. Shimla received about 4.2 mm of rain, while Malraon, Solan, Jubberhatti, Jatton Barrage, Kandaghat and Chopal also recorded light to moderate rainfall during the last 24 hours.
The wet spell led to an overall improvement in temperatures across the state. Minimum temperatures at most places remained normal or near normal. Tabo in the cold desert region remained the coldest place in Himachal Pradesh, recording a minimum temperature of around minus 3.6 degrees Celsius, which was nearly seven degrees above normal.
Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of about 3.6 degrees Celsius, Manali around 0.8 degrees, Kalpa minus 0.4 degrees, Dharamshala close to 3 degrees, Solan about 4.6 degrees, Mandi near 9.9 degrees, Una 7.5 degrees and Nahan around 8 degrees. Paonta Sahib recorded the highest maximum temperature at around 24 degrees Celsius.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, a western disturbance in the form of a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan and adjoining areas, along with an induced cyclonic circulation over north Rajasthan, is influencing the weather over Himachal Pradesh.
The IMD has indicated that the state may continue to experience rainfall and snowfall from a few places to fairly widespread wet weather in the coming days. A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of February 2, followed by another around February 5, raising expectations of snowfall at tourist resorts and higher reaches including Shimla, Narkanda, Manali and Dalhousie. 55 Livestock including flock of Sheep and Goats hit by lightening early on Sunday morning at Deothti on Solan -Sabatu roads. (UNI)
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