Snowfall on the passes of Himachal, snowfall expected soon in Shimla-Manali. file photo
Jagran Team, Shimla/Manali. In Himachal Pradesh, there was light snowfall in Rohtang and Shinkula, Baralacha and Kunjam passes on Friday. Currently, there is two inches of snowfall here, but there is a possibility of heavy snowfall. At the same time, it was cloudy at many places across the state, but there was no rain.
Farmers and gardeners along with tourists are waiting for snowfall and rain. On Friday evening, there was snowfall in the high peaks and Darcha valley along with Mayad and Koksar valley. It was cloudy in Manali valley. Expectation of snowfall has increased in Manali including Lahaul Spiti. This time there has been no rain in the entire state for almost three months.
Despite half of January having passed, major tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali have not received even the first snowfall of this season. The minimum temperature in Shimla on Thursday night was 10.5 degrees Celsius, which is 7.4 degrees above normal. Shimla's night on Thursday was the hottest in the state. The Meteorological Department has predicted snowfall in the higher reaches of the state and rain in the lower and middle hilly areas till January 22.
Western disturbance is expected to be more effective on January 20 and 22, due to which there is more possibility of rain and snowfall across the state. During this period, the first snowfall of the season may also occur in Shimla and Manali. Due to this, the temperature may drop in the coming days.
Tourists have fun amidst snow in Shinkula
Many tourists reached Shinkula on Friday with the desire to see snow. Snow started falling here at 12 noon. During this time the tourists had a lot of fun amidst the snow. However, seeing the snowfall increasing, the police sent the tourists back to Manali. At the same time, after the New Year, there has been a decline in the number of tourists in Shimla and Manali.