Rain, snowfall likely on Feb 19-20

The last week of February is likely to see normal precipitation as per the extended forecast issued by the weather department. The current week, though, is likely to witness less than normal precipitation.

“We are expecting a Western Disturbances around February 19-20, which is likely to cause some precipitation in the state,” said a weather official. There’s a possibility of light rain or snow in higher reaches tomorrow, following which the weather will remain dry till February 18. On February 19-20, there’s a possibility of some rain and snowfall.

Until now, precipitation has been 64 per cent less than normal in February, causing a lot of problems to the agriculture, horticulture and tourism sector. Apart from Kullu, which has seen 32 per cent deficient precipitation, the deficiency in all other districts is above minus 50 per cent, with Sirmaur recording the highest deficiency of minus 97 per cent. The districts of Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una and Kinnaur are also above 80 per cent rain deficient.

The possibility of normal precipitation in the last week of the month would offer some hope to the people in these sectors.