A severe cold wave tightened its grip on Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, with fresh snowfall gracing several high-altitude regions and overcast skies dominating the mid and lower hills. The wintry conditions, though bringing a sharp dip in temperatures, sparked joy among tourists who had been eagerly awaiting the season's snow.
Snowfall Blankets High-Altitude Passes
Parts of the Lahaul Spiti district witnessed snowfall, including the areas around Shinku La and Rohtang Pass. Snow was also reported from some locations in the Udaipur sub-division and the neighbouring Pangi valley of Chamba district. Light snow was recorded in the Atal Tunnel area late on Sunday afternoon.
The sight of snow, however light, was a major draw for visitors. Hundreds made their way towards Shinku La Top, a spot being developed as a new tourist destination at an altitude of around 5,000 metres. "Hundreds of tourists today reached Zanskar Sumdo to witness snowfall, which they were waiting for days," said Saim Bodh, a local resident and tour operator.
Administrative Measures and Tourist Movement
Prioritising safety, the local administration closed the road leading to the main Shinku La Top. However, following requests from locals, traffic movement for 4x4 vehicles was permitted up to Zanskar Sumdo, a point located below the mountain pass. "We are thankful to the administration that they allowed tourists to go up to Zanskar Sumdo," added Bodh.
Tourists also headed towards Rohtang Pass, which remains open for traffic from the Manali side until December 28, strictly for 4x4 vehicles. Conversely, the road from Gramphu to Lahaul Spiti on the district's side was closed on Sunday due to the snowfall.
Dry Spell and Plummeting Temperatures
While the high hills saw snow, the mid and low hills experienced overcast skies throughout the day, but without the predicted rain. The state has recorded zero rainfall so far in December. In November, it received only 1 mm of rain, which is a significant 85% deficit compared to the normal average of 19.7 mm.
The cold wave made its presence felt across Himachal. Kukumseri in Lahaul Spiti was the coldest, recording a minimum temperature of -2.4°C. Other low minimums included Tabo at 1.1°C, Kalpa at 3.4°C, and Solan at 4.5°C.
Key tourist destinations also shivered:
- Manali: 6.7°C
- Dharamshala: 8.2°C
- Shimla: 11°C
Thick fog in parts of Bilaspur and Mandi districts intensified the chill, with the weather department forecasting dense fog to persist during morning and evening hours in these areas.
Clear Skies Ahead
There is respite on the horizon. As per the latest forecast, the weather across Himachal Pradesh is expected to turn dry and clear from Monday onwards, with these conditions likely to persist throughout the week.
