Himachal Pradesh recorded isolated rainfall and widespread snowfall in high-altitude areas over the past 24 hours, while minimum temperatures rose noticeably at several locations, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday.
As per the IMD’s Meteorological Centre in Shimla, heavy snowfall was witnessed in Lahaul-Spiti and adjoining tribal and high-altitude areas. Gondla received 22 cm of snow, Kukumseri 21.3 cm, Kothi 20 cm and Koksar 19 cm. Keylong recorded 12.5 cm, while Kalpa and Sangla received 5.5 cm and 1.8 cm, respectively.
Light to moderate rain was witnessed in parts of Chamba and Kullu districts, with Saloni receiving 9.3 mm of rainfall and Manali 6 mm. Thunderstorm was reported in Shimla, and shallow fog reduced visibility to around 500 metres in Kalpa. Strong winds were observed in Kufri and Narkanda, with wind speeds reaching up to 52 kmph.
“Minimum temperatures have shown an appreciable rise at many stations, with a few places recording values 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal,” the IMD said. It further said that maximum temperatures showed no significant change and remained below normal at several locations.
Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti observed the lowest minimum temperature at minus 8.9 degrees Celsius, and Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district saw the highest maximum temperature at 23 degrees Celsius.
The weather department has forecast isolated rain and snowfall in the hill state on Tuesday. It has also warned of possible thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds of 40 to 50 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph at isolated places.
Cold-day conditions are likely in several areas of the lower and mid-hill regions. Cold wave and dense fog conditions may also be witnessed at isolated places over the next few days.
According to the IMD, a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of January 30, which will bring another spell of rain and snowfall to Himachal.
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