Ending the long dry spell in this hill State, high reaches experienced snowfall in this winter moreover downstream had widespread intermittent rainfall which continues since early this morning.
Tourist resorts Kufri, Narkanda, Fagu, Shimla and Mashobra recorded first good spell of snowfall which continues till last reports came in. Vehicular traffic on Hindustan-Tibet National Highway disrupted beyond Kufri as roads became slippery due to snowfall.
Theog-Gumma, Chopal, Rohru road also became snowbound at Kharapther, Khhraki, Chambi, Chopal snapping road communication with Rohru, Chopal and Dodra and Kawar again.
Tourist resort Narkanda reported about 15 cm snowfall, Kufri, Fagu, Mashobra and Chopal at around 10 cm. Shimla got about 3-centimeter snowfall and 2 mm rainfall since 0300hrs this morning.
Reports arriving from the tribal district said that moderate to heavy snowfall continues in the high reaches. 13050 ft High Rohtang Pass, Kunzum pass in Lahaul Spiti, Goshal hill, Seven sister’s hill, Jalrijot in Kullu, Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra, Khadrala and Kalatop in Shimla, Kinner and Shrikhand kailash in Kinnuar, Manimahesh and Pangi in Chamba district experienced snowfall again.
Keylong headquarter of Lahaul Spiti district and Kalpa of Kinnuar got 8-centimeter snowfall.
Rain lashed many parts of this hill state today ending long dry spell and shortage of water for irrigation and drinking. Belated rain and snowfall not only brought cheer on the faces of farmers who are eagerly waiting for it however, it would also help to end the shortage of drinking water after recharging water tables in the hill.
Met office recorded 47 mm rainfall at Dharamshala, 10.8 mm at Una, 18.8 mm at Kangra, 9mm at tourist resort Manali , 7.6 mm at Sundernagar in Mandi, 6.4 mm at Bhunter in Kullu, 3.7 degrees in Solan, 2 mm at Shimla and 1 mm at Nahan.
Minimum temperature came down after fresh rain and snowfall in the state as Shimla recorded low at 3 degrees, Keylong was coldest in the state with low at -3.7 degrees, Manali at 1 degree, Kalpa 1.6 degrees, Solan and Dharamshala 6 degrees each, Kangra and Bhunter 8 degrees each, Sundernagar 9.2 degrees and Nahan 10 degrees respectively.
Met office forecasts rain and snowfall in next 24 hours.