Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a severe spell of winter-like weather, with heavy rainfall and snowfall over the past two days intensifying the cold wave across the state and adjoining north-west Himalayan areas, including Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir.
High-altitude areas recorded substantial snowfall. Hansa received 25 cm, Gondhla 21 cm, Kalpa 17 cm, and Keylong 15 cm, nearly half a foot in several locations. Kukumseri also saw 13.2 cm, signaling widespread snow in the tribal belts and mountainous regions.
Meanwhile, persistent rain affected the lower and mid-hill regions. Manali topped the rainfall chart with 57 mm, followed by Palampur at 49.2 mm, Seobagh 39 mm, Jogindernagar 38 mm, and Sarahan 30.5 mm. Other towns, including Kasauli, Slapper, and Sandhole, recorded around 30 mm each, making this one of the wettest spells of the season.
The intense weather has caused a sharp drop in temperatures. Kalpa recorded the lowest minimum at 0°C, while Shimla was at 6.6°C, about two degrees below normal. Other towns recorded: Dharamshala 9.2°C, Solan 10°C, Sundernagar 11.5°C, Bhuntar 8.5°C, Una 12.7°C, Nahan 9.5°C, and Kangra 12.6°C. Tourist hotspots like Manali saw temperatures fall to 3°C, while tribal regions continued to experience near-freezing conditions.
Airports reflected the chill, with Jubberhatti near Shimla at 8°C and Bhuntar airport at 8.5°C. The Meteorological Department noted maximum temperatures have plunged 2–5 degrees below normal, with several areas up to 12 degrees lower than usual, reinforcing cold wave conditions.
Fog was reported in parts of the state, reducing visibility to 800 meters in Mandi district, while thunderstorms were observed in Kufri.
Authorities have warned of continued adverse weather, including gusty winds, lightning, and thunderstorms, though conditions are expected to ease gradually.
Despite the disruption to daily life and traffic, the rainfall and snowfall are expected to boost Rabi crops, apple orchards, and water reservoirs across the state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
