Snow in Manali, rain in Shimla revive chill

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 24

Wintry conditions were revived in most parts of Himachal and the mercury dropped following mild snowfall in tribal areas and other higher reaches while mid and lower hills were lashed by intermittent rain and thunderstorm today.

The mighty Rohtang Pass, Manali, Solang Nullah, Kothi, Palchan, Churdhar ranges, Nauradhar, Haripurdhar and higher reaches in Chamba and Bharmaur region received fresh snow. Rohtang recorded 15 cm of snow followed by Koksar 10 cm, Keylong 5 cm, Bharmaur 4 cm and Kalpa 3.7 cm.

Shimla and the surrounding areas were lashed by rain accompanied by high-velocity winds and lightning but snowfall eluded the state capital. The key tourist resort of Manali was the wettest in the region with 29 mm of rain followed by Dalhousie 15 mm Dharamsala 13.5 mm, Bhuntar 13 mm, Bajaura 10 mm, Chail 9 mm, Bharmaur 8 mm, Kalpa and Kufri 6 mm each and Shimla 4 mm.

The thunderstorm caused damaged to the stone fruit crop and wheat crop in the lower areas but provided some relief from the dry spell.

The maximum temperature dropped by 4 to 6 degrees and Una was the hottest with a high of 22.6 degree C. The minimum temperature fluctuated marginally and Keylong was the coldest with a low of minus 2.5 degree C followed by Kalpa 3.4 degree and Manali 5.4 degree C.

The MeT office has predicted rain at isolated places in mid and higher hills tomorrow.