After weeks of anticipation, winter has finally made its grand entrance in Himachal Pradesh, with a powerful western disturbance unleashing the season's first widespread and heavy snowfall across the picturesque hill state. The dramatic shift in weather conditions has transformed the landscape, bringing both challenges and cautious optimism to various regions.
A State Transformed by Snow and Rain
The change has been nothing short of spectacular. Since last night, high-altitude and tribal areas have been blanketed under a fresh layer of snow, while lower regions have experienced persistent rain accompanied by strong, gusty winds. This combination has triggered a sharp and noticeable drop in temperatures, intensifying cold wave conditions throughout Himachal Pradesh.
In the state capital, Shimla, snowfall began in the early morning hours and continued intermittently throughout the day. Familiar streets and roads have been transformed into slippery stretches, significantly slowing down daily life and causing considerable inconvenience for residents and visitors alike.
Tourist Joy and Regional Impact
The popular tourist destination of Manali also received its first snowfall of the winter season, much to the delight of tourists who had been eagerly waiting to witness the hills covered in a pristine white blanket. The weather system's influence has been felt across multiple districts, including Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, Chamba, and the higher reaches of Mandi and Sirmaur, where snowfall accumulation has increased sharply.
Farmers and orchardists across the state have greeted the snowfall with cautious optimism. Agricultural experts emphasize that adequate chill accumulation during winter is absolutely critical for apple and other temperate fruit crops. Proper chilling is essential to ensure both fruit quality and yield for the upcoming growing season, making this snowfall a welcome development in what had been a relatively mild winter so far.
IMD Forecasts and Weather Alerts
The India Meteorological Department has been closely monitoring the situation and has issued a series of weather alerts for Himachal Pradesh. An orange warning has been issued for heavy snowfall and rain at isolated places in Chamba, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti districts. Additionally, a yellow warning for hailstorm has been announced for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts.
Sandeep Kumar Sharma, Senior Scientist at IMD Himachal Pradesh, provided detailed insights into the ongoing weather activity. He confirmed that the western disturbance has been active across the state since late last night, resulting in rainfall in many lower districts and snowfall across higher elevation areas.
Snowfall Measurements and Temperature Drop
Specific snowfall measurements recorded till Thursday morning reveal the extent of the weather event. Kothi in Kullu district received the maximum snowfall at 15 cm, followed by Gondhla in Lahaul-Spiti at 12 cm and Chamba at 6 cm. Keylong and Manali each received 4 cm of snow, while Shimla recorded 1 cm, with snowfall continuing in many areas.
Light to moderate snowfall persisted in high-altitude tribal areas and the higher mountains of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Shimla, bringing temperatures down further. Meanwhile, the plains in Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur experienced moderate rains during the last 24 hours, with Hamirpur recording the maximum rainfall at 25 mm during this period.
The prevailing weather conditions are expected to continue till late tonight, with rain and snowfall likely in higher reaches today. Lower areas of Kangra and Mandi are also anticipated to receive rains, according to Sharma's forecast.
Impacts on Daily Life and Future Predictions
The weather has already made a significant impact on ground conditions. Daytime temperatures across the state have plummeted, dipping 9 to 10 degrees Celsius below normal in some locations. Shimla and its nearby areas are experiencing daytime temperatures around 0°C, while Kangra, Bilaspur, and surrounding regions have been witnessing temperatures between 6°C and 7°C.
In Shimla specifically, the snowfall has brought traffic to a near standstill. Roads have become extremely slippery, leading to long traffic jams at multiple locations and causing major inconvenience to both tourists and local commuters. Routes leading out of the city have been particularly affected, with vehicles struggling for traction on the icy surfaces.
More Weather Systems on the Horizon
The IMD has predicted that another Western Disturbance will begin affecting the region from January 26, following a temporary decrease in intensity expected on January 25. This new system is likely to cause on-and-off rain, moderate to heavy snowfall, and even snowstorms in several districts from January 26 to 28.
Districts including Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Kullu are all set to experience heavy snow, prompting the IMD to issue an orange alert for these regions. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue between January 26 and 28, potentially disrupting normal life and movement in Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, Solan, and Chamba districts over the coming days.
In light of these predictions, the IMD has cautioned residents and tourists to undertake only necessary travel in high-altitude areas. The department has also issued a cold day warning with a yellow color code, along with warnings for thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds or hail, emphasizing the need for caution and preparedness in the face of continuing challenging weather conditions.
