WHITEOUT IN SHIMLA— SEASON’S FIRST
DRY SPELL ENDS Tourists flock to state’s capital which received nearly 6cm snow; day temperatures plummet
Girls enjoying snow on The Ridge in Shimla on Tuesday. In neighbouring Jammu & Kashmir, the Vaishno Devi shrine also received season’s first snowfall.
SHIMLA: Ending a long dry spell, the Him ac hal Pradesh capital got season’s first snowfall on Tuesday while mid and lower hills received intermittent rain, bringing cheer to tourist sand farmers.
As news of the snow fall spread, tourists flocked to Shimla. Kufri and Narkanda also received snowfall, which turned the tourist destinations more picturesque. S him la, which saw a low of 2.7°C, recorded mild snowfall around afternoon, while Kufri and Mashobra recorded moderate snowfall. The day’s temperature in Shimla stayed at 12.2°C.
While Shimla received 2 inches of snow, 5 inches of snow was accumulated in Jakhu, the highest point of town. S him la Met centre director Man mo han Singh said, “Due to western disturbance, several parts of the state received fresh snowfall. Few places in higher reaches will receive more snowfall in next 24 hours.”
TRAFFIC HIT
Season’ s first snow fall hit vehicular traffic in Shimla. Vehicles could be seen skidding off snowcovered roads. Traffic on the National Highway connecting Shimla to Kinnaur was halted at Narkanda. Several lateral roads were also closed later in the day due to snowfall.
The government issued directions to all departments to ensure people face no inconvenience.
Snow, however, brought a cheer on the face of tourists as well as locals. A tourist from Ludhiana, KaranM al hot ra, said ,“We were aware of the snow prediction and planned to come to Shimla. It is amazing to be in Shimla during snowfall.”
Not only tourists but farmers are also elated with fresh spell of rain, snow. “Rain, snow has revived hope. There was no moisture in the soil ,” an apple grower Nand Lal Thakur said.
COLDWAVE IN KANGRA ,CHAMBA
Cold wave swept across Kangra and Ch a mb a region of the state as higher reaches experienced fresh bout of snow, while low lying areas were lashed by rains. The maximum temperature at Dharamshala, the district headquarters of Kangra district, was recorded 11.4°C. The maximum temperature in Chamba was 12.8° C. There were also reports of snow in tribal Bharmour and Pangi areas of Chamba district.