Mild snow, rain in Shimla, nearby areas, mercury dips

Bhanu P Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, February 16

People in Shimla and its surrounding areas had a pleasant surprise as weather changed suddenly and the state capital experienced mild snowfall, accompanied by thunderstorm and rain.

The region had a clear day in the morning and chilly winds swept the town but dark clouds overcast the sky, reducing the visibility to a few metres.

Vehicular traffic was hit due to poor visibility and vehicles were forced to move at a snail’s pace with headlights on even during the day. Some other districts in the mid hills such as Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Solan, Kangra, Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur also experienced rains and snow.

While the snow did not last long in Shimla town and melted soon, Jakoo hill was covered under thin coating of snow while adjoining tourist destination of Kufri recorded 3 cm snow. The day temperature fell sharply but people braved the cold wave conditions to enjoy the snow.

People were seen enjoying the snow at the Ridge and The Mall Road. “We have witnessed snowfall for the first time and it is so beautiful,” said Manish from Punjab who was accompanied by his wife.

The local MeT office had predicted dry weather in lower and mid hills for the next six days from February 17 to February 22 and rains and snow in higher hills on February 21 and 22.

Meanwhile, the day temperatures rose in lower hills. Una was the hottest with a high of 28.0 degree, five degree above normal, while Nahan and Sundernagar recorded day temperatures at 24.0 degree and 23.9 degree, followed by Solan 23.5 degree, Dharamsala 18.6 degree, Shimla and Manali 16.5 degree, Kalpa 11.6 degree, Kufri 8.5 degree and Keylong 3.9 degree.

The state received 52.9 mm average rains from January 1 to February 16 against the normal rainfall of 143.6 mm, a deficit of 63 per cent. All 12 districts received deficit rains ranging between 32 per cent (Solan) and 76 per cent (Bilaspur).

The minimum temperatures also dropped marginally. Keylong was coldest during the night with a low of minus 6.0 degree, followed by Kalpa minus 1.5 degree, Manali 1.8 degree Sundernagar 4.1 degree and Shimla 6.6 degree.

Snow is considered white manure for apple and low temperatures would provide the required chilling hours while rains in low hills would be beneficial for Rabi crops. The hoteliers are pinning hope that snowfall would increase tourist footfall to the capital city.