Widespread rain across state, light snowfall in apple belt of Shimla district

The state received widespread precipitation since Wednesday midnight. Some areas received light snowfall while light rainfall occurred in other areas. It started snowing early in the morning in the tourist destinations of Kufri, Narkanda and other places in the apple belt of Shimla district, raising the hope of a good snowfall among apple growers. But as the day progressed, the hope gave way as not more than one or two inches of snowfall was recorded at most places. While a white blanket of just one or two inches was good enough to excite tourists, but it’s not enough for the apple growers and farmers battling 80 per cent rain deficiency this winter.

“This spell has just settled the dust and watered the surface of the land. Besides, it will keep the temperatures low for a few days, which is a good thing, but it hasn’t helped beyond that,” said Harish Chauhan, a progressive grower of Jubbal.

In late evening, though, the weather again took a turn and several areas, including Shimla, received intense rainfall for sometime.

Meanwhile, the weather department issued an orange alert for light to moderate rainfall and snowfall over several parts in the state. It said that there could be many spells of light to moderate snowfall in some parts of Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts and in the higher reaches of Kullu, Shimla, Kangra and Chamba districts.

Over the next few days, light rain or snow is likely at isolated places in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts and in the higher reaches of Chamba, Kangra and Kullu districts. Light to moderate rain or snow is likely at a few places in the state on February 25 and 26. Besides, the maximum temperatures are likely to fall by four to six degree Celsius in many parts of the state during the next 24 hours.

• Snowfall

  Shillaro    5 cm

  Gondla     3 cm

  Kalpa       1.3 cm

  Sangla     0.3 cm