Snowfall Expected Again in Himachal; Temperatures Dip Below Freezing in Six Districts
Shimla: The cold wave has intensified in Himachal Pradesh following recent snowfall. The state has witnessed a sharp drop in temperature, and the Meteorological Department has predicted more snowfall in the coming days. Snowfall is likely in the higher and mid-altitude regions on December 12, particularly in the upper reaches. This is expected to further strengthen the cold winds sweeping across the state.
Yellow Alert for Dense Fog
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in the plains of Mandi, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Hamirpur districts over the next two days. While the weather is expected to remain clear between December 11 and December 13–16, there is little likelihood of relief from the cold wave.
On Monday evening, light snowfall was recorded in Shimla’s Kufri, Manali, Koksar, and Kalpa. These areas also experienced snowfall on Sunday, disrupting daily life. However, Tuesday brought sunshine, providing some relief to the residents.
Temperatures Below Freezing in 14 Towns Across Six Districts
The severity of the cold in Himachal Pradesh can be gauged by the fact that temperatures in 14 towns across six districts have dropped below freezing. Surprisingly, even some plains have recorded sub-zero temperatures, while others are hovering near freezing levels. Lower regions such as Una, Barthin, and Hamirpur have turned colder than Shimla.
According to the Meteorological Department, Tuesday morning recorded the lowest temperature of -12.7°C in Tabo, Lahaul-Spiti district. Other notable minimum temperatures include:
Kukumseri: -8.1°C
Samdho: -7.9°C
Siyobagh: -2.5°C
Kalpa (Kinnaur): -5.4°C
Reckong Peo: -1.8°C
Manali (Kullu): -2.8°C
Bhuntar: -1.4°C
Bharmaur (Chamba): -1.7°C
Narkanda (Shimla): -3.4°C
Kufri (Shimla): -2.2°C
Barthin (Bilaspur): -0.7°C
Other towns like Solan, Palampur, Sundernagar, and Una recorded temperatures close to freezing.
Tourist Influx in Hill Stations
The snowfall in popular hill stations such as Shimla, Kufri, and Manali has boosted tourism activities. Tourists from neighboring states are flocking to these destinations to enjoy the snow. According to local tourism businesses, hotel bookings have surged, particularly for Christmas and New Year celebrations.
For the past few years, the lack of snowfall in Shimla had left tourists disappointed. However, this year, snowfall in the second week of December, after nearly 12 years, has brought cheer to the tourism industry.
