Snowfall, rains throw normal life out of gear in Himachal

Normal life was hit in Himachal Pradesh after higher reaches in the state experienced fresh spell of snowfall while low-lying areas got moderate to heavy rainfall amid an orange alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department.

: Normal life was hit in Himachal Pradesh after higher reaches in the state experienced fresh spell of snowfall while low-lying areas got moderate to heavy rainfall amid an orange alert issued by the Indian Meteorological Department.

Again, a western disturbance is likely to hit the region on April 3 which is likely to cause rainfall in the low-lying areas and mid hills and downfall in the higher reaches. He said that a yellow weather alert has been issued for thunderstorm, hailstorm and lightening on April 1, 3 and 4. Normal life was hit in Himachal Pradesh after higher reaches in the state experienced fresh spell of snowfall while low-lying areas got moderate to heavy rainfall amid an orange alert. (HT Photo)

Director of Shimla Meteorological Centre Surender Pual said that most part of the state have experienced downpour since Thursday night and there would likely be a decrease in the rainfall on Saturday.

Again, a western disturbance is likely to hit the region on April 3 which is likely to cause rainfall in the low-lying areas and mid hills and downfall in the higher reaches. He said that a yellow weather alert has been issued for thunderstorm, hailstorm and lightening on April 1, 3 and 4.

Meanwhile, director of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said that Churdhar in Shimla district experienced 12 inches of snowfall while the remote Dodra Kwar region got 6 inches of snowfall as per the latest update.

The Rohtang Pass top experienced five inches of snowfall, Jalori Jot in Kullu four inches and South Portal of Atal Tunnel got 2 inches of snowfall. Sissu in Lahaul-Spiti experienced one inch of snowfall and Kufri, the famous tourist resort near Shimla town also received snowflakes in the evening.

In Lahaul-Spiti ,the Darcha-Shinkula highway has been blocked due to the snowfall. The district police have asked the tourists and locals to avoid unnecessary travel, keeping in view the bad weather.

Solan wettest place

Meanwhile, Solan town was the wettest place in the state experiencing 40mm of rainfall followed by 36.1mm in Nahan, 22mm in Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur district and 20mm in Narkanda of Shimla district.

Tourist town of Dalhousie got 17mm of rainfall, Kangra 16mm, Kufti 14.5mm, Mandi 13mm, Una 12.4mm and Sundernagar 10mm rainfall.

Shimla MeT centre director said that the rainfall has brought down the mercury considerably and minimum and maximum temperatures were marked below normal in the state.

The minimum temperature dropped up to 4 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperatures up to 12 degrees Celsius.

Keylong was the coldest place recording minimum temperature of 2.3 degrees Celsius while Bilaspur recorded highest day temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.