Mild snow, rain in upper Shimla

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 17

Finally, higher areas in upper Shimla and Kinnaur received mild snowfall and rain today evening. However, the much-awaited spell of snowfall did not last long.

“At the most, the higher reaches received 1 to 2 cm snow. The lower areas received some rain,” said Harish Chauhan, an orchardist from Rohru. Places like Narkanda and Baghi also received some snowfall.

This brief spell of snow and rain is unlikely to be the beginning of sustained snowfall or rains in the region and the state. As per the Weather Department, the weather will be dry in the entire state for the next 7-8 days.

Driest January since 2004?

• No precipitation expected in state over the next week or so
• Some precipitation likely after Jan 25
• As per the Weather Department, the month of January has been 100 per cent deficient as far as the precipitation is concerned
• The department fears it could end up as the driest January since 2004. In 2004, the month of January was 99 per cent rain/snow deficient

“We are not expecting any precipitation in the state over the next week or so. There is a possibility of some precipitation after January 25,” said Surender Paul, Director, Meteorological Centre, Shimla.

As per the Weather Department, the month of January has been 100 per cent deficient as far as the precipitation is concerned. Given the prevailing conditions, the department fears it could end up as the driest January since 2004. In 2004, the month of January was 99 per cent rain/snow deficient.

“There’s a possibility of this January ending up as the driest in the last 20 years. So far there has been no rain or snow and precipitation is unlikely over the next 7-8 days,” said Paul.

Meanwhile, the apple growers feel the short spell of snow and rain won’t help much if the weather turns dry again. “Only dust has settled down with today’s precipitation. It will make little difference if we don’t get a significant spell of snow shortly,” said Sanjeev Thakur, an orchardist from Chirgaon.

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