The New Year has begun in Himachal Pradesh with snowfall in the mountains and light drizzle at many places of Himachal Pradesh ending a long dry spell of nearly three months, on Wednesday night and Thursday .
Light Snowfall was witnessed on higher reaches of Lahaul -Spiti, Kinnaur and Kullu districts, bringing cheer to locals as well as tourists. Koksar, the Rohtang Pass, Atal Tunnel and Udaipur in Lahaul – Spiti also were covered with a blanket of snow. Higher reaches of Chamba district including Manimahesh, Kugti Pass, and Pangi – Bharmour, higher reaches of Kinnaur, Kullu and Shimla districts have also been covered with fresh snow.
The Lahual- Spiti police have banned vehicular traffic beyond Gulaba as road has become very slippery.
In the morning, snowflakes fell intermittently on the high peaks, but by afternoon, snowfall had started at both ends of Koksar and the Atal Tunnel. Tourists who had come to celebrate the New Year also enjoyed the snowfall.
Twelve centimeters of fresh snowfall was recorded at the Rohtang Pass, 15 cm at Shinkula, 15 cm at the Kunzum Pass, 10 cm at Zanskar-Samdo, 20 cm at Baralacha, and 5 cm at Koksar as per IMD report.
Light rain also hit several places in Una, Solan and Mandi district as a big repite to farmers eagerly waiting to end the prolonged dry spell.
The Meteorological Department has predicted rain and snowfall in the hilly areas on Thursday and Friday (January 1st and 2nd). The weather will remain clear on January 3rd and 4th, while a change in weather is expected again on January 5th and 6th.
