Rains, snow lash Himachal Pradesh

Shimla, March 29

Rains and thunderstorm lashed the mid and lower hills of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday while high altitude tribal areas received fresh snowfall, causing sharp fall in mercury.

High velocity winds, accompanied by sharp showers lashed several areas in the mid and lower hills, including state capital Shimla, and Manali while intermittent rains are continuing in most parts of the state.

High altitude tribal areas and other mountain passes had fresh snowfall: Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti recorded 10 cm of snow, e Rohtang and Kunzam passes received 30 cm and 25 cm of snow while upper Manali region and higher reaches in Chamba had 10 cm to 15 cm of snow.

Avalanche threat loomed large over high altitude tribal areas over 2,500 metres from the sea level that were buried under 20-30 ft of snow, as melting of snow in coming days could accelerate glacier movement.

Heavy rains and thunderstorm lashed the mid and lower hills while Shimla and some other places in higher hills were lashed by sleet.

Dark convective clouds overcast the sky, causing a fall in day temperature, which had crossed 35 degrees Celsius mark in the foothills. Una recorded a high of 32.2 degrees Celsius against 35.8 degrees Celsius on Saturday, Nahan and Solan recorded a maximum of 26.2 degrees Celsius and 25.6 degrees Celsius, respectively, Sundernagar recorded 23.7 degrees Celsius, Dharamshala 23.2 degrees Celsius, Shimla 18.6 degrees Celsius, Bhunter 15.5 degrees Celsius, Kalpa 5.2 degrees Celsius, a drop of three to five degrees since Sunday.

Manali recorded 40 mm rains, Kalpa 14 mm, Bhuntar 12 mm, Pooh 11 mm, Seobagh 9 mm, Bajaura 7mm, Baijnath and Gaggal 5 mm, Dharamsala 4 mm and Shimla and Sundernagar 2 mm.

However, there was no significant change in minimum temperatures.

The local MeT office has warned of heavy to very heavy rains and thunderstorms during next 24 hours and rains and thundershowers in mid and lower hills and rains and snow in higher hills over next six days.

The stormy conditions and rains are considered harmful for wheat crop and stone fruit crops, especially in lower and mid hills. — PTI