Higher reaches get fresh snow

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 2

High and mid hills are likely to be lashed by rain, hailstorm and snow from January 4.

According to the Met department, the western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region and plains of North-West India.

Precipitation occurred at isolated places over the state during the last 24 hours. The lowest temperature was recorded at Keylong at -4.6°C while Kalpa recorded -3.4°C and Kufri -1.1°C.

The higher hills and tribal areas received fresh snowfall. Kothi received 10 cm of snow, Udaipur 3 cm and Kalpa 1 cm, Manali experienced 3 mm of rainfall, Bangatto 2 mm and Chatrari 1 mm.

The Met department said the weather was likely to remain dry on Thursday with a warning of rain, hailstorm and snow on January 4 and 5.

The department has issued the forecast of rain and hailstorm in the low hills on January 4 and 5 while the mid and high hills could experience rain and snow due to a fresh western disturbance affecting the region.

Shimla, which remained cloudy barring a brief sunshine in the afternoon, recorded a minimum temperature of 3.7°C and a maximum of 11.0°C. The minimum temperature in Sundernagar was 5.5°C, Dharamsala 2.8°C, Una 7.2°C, Nahan 4.9°C, Palampur 6°C, Solan 3°C, Manali 0.6°C, Mandi 3.1°C, Bilaspur 7.8°C , Hamirpur 8.0°C and Chamba 6.9°C.

Meanwhile, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Wednesday said it was fully ready to deal with any eventuality.

Special Secretary, Disaster Management, DC Rana said state and district control rooms had been put on a state of readiness to deal with any eventuality in view of the weather advisory.

Tourists and the general public had been advised to avoid the higher reaches in the coming days to avoid any untoward incident, he added.