White Xmas unlikely as dry weather predicted

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 22

Thousands of tourists descending on Shimla to enjoy snowfall are in for disappointment as the local MeT office has predicted dry weather in the state for next six days up to December 28 and White Christmas is unlikely.

The weather will remain dry in lower, mid and higher hills from December 23 to December 28 as the Western Disturbance as cyclonic circulation over North Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir is moving away northwards, the local MeT office said.

White Christmas and White New Year used to be main charm of Shimla during winters but over the years, the trend has changed and frequency of snowfalls has declined as snowline was moving upwards.

However, there is no respite from biting cold wave conditions as mercury is staying 10 to 16 degree below freezing point in high altitude areas and hovering around freezing point in mid and higher hills.

The minimum temperature dipped to minus 12.6 degree at Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district while Kalpa and Manali recorded a low of minus 3.0 degree. Kufri shivered with minimum temperature at minus 0.2 degree while Sundernagar, Bhuntar and Solan recorded a low of 1.6 degree, followed by Shimla 2.6 degree, Dharamsala 2.8 degree, Palampur 3.0 degree and Una 5.3 degree, three to six degree below normal.

All natural sources of water like springs, lakes, rivulets and tributaries of major rivers have frozen.

The BJP cadres preparing for a mega rally on completion of two years in office on December 27 are elated over the forecast as rain, snow or inclement weather could spoil the show.