Shimla receives first snow of season, bringing cheer to people

Bhanu Lohumi
Tribune News Service
Shimla, December 12

Shimla received its first snow of the season bringing smiles to residents, tourists and apple-growers.

The snow is mild and till now all roads are open.

The daily-use items, like milk, bread and newspapers reached Shimla and upper areas on time.

The queen of the hills is covered under a thin layer of snow and mild snow is continuing.

The roads are open for vehicular traffic, said Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap, adding that all arrangements are in place. Heavy snow is being witnessed in Narkanda and the PWD has been asked to clear roads simultaneously, he added.

Snow is considered manure for the apple crop and apple orchardists are happy. With snow, the tourist rush is expected to increase. The social networking sites are abuzz with photographs of snow as Shimlaites celebrate snow.

As higher hills and tribal areas are reeling under cold wave conditions, all natural sources of water like lakes, springs, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers and the 70-km stretch of the Chandrabhaga river have frozen, reducing the discharge of water in snow-fed rivers and affecting hydropower generation.

The local MeT office has predicted thunderstorm, rain and snow in the region on Wednesday as an induced cyclonic circulation lies over central Pakistan and adjoining west Rajasthan affecting Himachal. However, dry weather will prevail in the region from December 13.