Himachal Pradesh Gripped by Heavy Rainfall and Fresh Snowfall
On Wednesday, Himachal Pradesh witnessed a dramatic shift in weather conditions as moderate to heavy rainfall swept across the low and mid hills, while fresh snowfall blanketed the higher reaches. This sudden change dragged temperatures down sharply, reintroducing a biting chill across the state.
IMD Issues Yellow Alert for Severe Weather
The India Meteorological Department's Shimla centre has issued a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms, hailstorms, gusty winds, and lightning in parts of Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Kangra, and Chamba districts on April 9. This alert underscores the potential for hazardous conditions in these regions.
Widespread Snowfall Across Multiple Districts
Snowfall was reported in various parts of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur, Lahaul Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, and Kangra districts. Specific areas recorded light to moderate snowfall, including:
- Shimla's Kufri, Narkanda, and Chaupal areas
- Sissu, Jispa, Gondhla, Darcha, and Tandi in Lahaul Spiti
- The Pangi valley and Bharmour areas of Chamba
- Higher reaches of Kangra's Dhauladhar, Shikari Devi in Mandi, and Churdhar in Sirmaur district
High mountain passes such as Shinkula, Rohtang, and Jalori Jot also experienced light to moderate snowfall, with areas near the Atal Tunnel similarly affected.
Transport Disruptions Due to Snowfall
The adverse weather led to significant transport disruptions. Highway 305 to Jalori Jot was closed, and only 4x4 vehicles were permitted beyond Solang Valley towards the Atal Tunnel due to snowfall. In Lahaul Spiti, a total of 26 roads remained blocked, including key routes like Koksar to Rohtang, Darcha to Sarchu, Gramphu to Batal, and Lossar to Batal. Additionally, 19 roads were blocked in the Kullu district.
Heavy Rainfall Triggers Landslide and Road Damage
Rainfall was widespread in most parts of Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Solan, Kangra, Una, and Hamirpur districts. In Mandi district, heavy rainfall caused a portion of the Kiratpur-Manali highway to cave in at 9 Mile near Pandoh, highlighting the destructive impact of the weather.
Record Rainfall Figures and Temperature Drops
In the last 24 hours until 8:30 am on Wednesday, the state recorded an average rainfall of 17.1 mm, which is a staggering 853% higher than the normal 1.8 mm. Bilaspur recorded the highest rainfall at 43.4 mm, followed by Solan with 43 mm, Sirmaur at 40.2 mm, Hamirpur at 30.9 mm, Shimla at 26.4 mm, Kangra at 24.9 mm, Chamba at 27.3 mm, Mandi at 23.1 mm, and Una at 22.9 mm.
The heavy rain and snow triggered a cold wave in the high and mid hills, with temperatures dropping several notches below normal. Key temperature recordings include:
- Kangra: Maximum temperature of 18°C, 14.1°C below normal
- Solan: 14°C, 13.6°C below normal
- Sundernagar: 17.7°C, 11.2°C below normal
- Mandi: 18.7°C, 11.1°C below normal
- Kalpa: 6.1°C, 9.3°C below normal
- Bhuntar: 14.1°C, 11.8°C below normal
- Nahan: 21°C, 8.7°C below normal
Among tourist destinations, Manali recorded a maximum temperature of 8.2°C, 10.8°C below normal; Shimla at 11.4°C, 8.5°C below normal; and Dharamshala at 14°C, 11.1°C below normal. Una recorded the highest maximum temperature of 22.4°C, still 10.4°C below normal. Tabo recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 0.1°C.
Narrow Escape for Bus Passengers in Chamba
In a separate incident, over a dozen passengers had a narrow escape when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation bus nearly plunged into a gorge near Hadsar in the Bharmour region of Chamba district. The front left wheel of the bus slipped off the narrow road as the driver attempted to avoid boulders from a morning landslide. Panic ensued as the wheel hung midair, but the driver managed to stop the bus before it could fall into the deep gorge. The bus was later lifted back onto the road using a JCB machine.
