Inaugural snowfall cascaded over Shimla on Thursday, eliciting joy among inhabitants, vacationers, and agriculturists, while substantial snowfall persisted in the elevated terrain and indigenous zones of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla, encompassing the expanse between Kufri and Fagu, was bedecked with a delicate layer of snow, beckoning throngs to converge upon the Mall Road and Ridge in the urban nucleus, as conveyed by news agency PTI.
Ferocious hailstorms assailed Shimla on Wednesday night, succeeded by sporadic showers, laying the groundwork for the snowfall. The repercussions of the climatic conditions have led to the closure of over 240 thoroughfares, including six arterial highways, and disruptions to 677 transformers, as reported by the state emergency operation center.
Of the obstructed thoroughfares, 165 are concentrated in the indigenous districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti. In the upper Shimla region beyond Dhalli, vehicular movement has ground to a halt owing to substantial snowfall in Kufri, Fagu, and Narkanda. The SP Shimla, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, reassured that the thoroughfares would be expeditiously cleared.
Intermittent snowfall has been encountered in five out of the 12 districts since Tuesday night, prompting the local Meteorological office to issue an orange alert for heavy snow and precipitation in Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti on February 1. A yellow caution for thunderstorms and lightning is in effect for February 3 and 4, as per the local MeT office.
Agriculturists and cultivators, who endured crop losses due to a protracted arid period, are anticipated to reap benefits from the moist interlude, proving advantageous for Rabi crops, as articulated by a spokesperson from the agriculture department.
The tourism and ancillary sector in Shimla are sanguine about an upsurge in foot traffic, with MK Seth, president of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association, voicing optimism for a prosperous season in February.
Eminent tourist attractions, including Narkanda, Kufri, Manali, Rohtang, and others, are also witnessing snowfall.
“The copious snowfall has infused optimism into the tourism and ancillary sector and we are hopeful for a flourishing season in February. The foot traffic is poised to escalate due to snowfall during the weekends in Shimla,” articulated M K Seth, president of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders Association to PTI.
Noteworthy snowfall measurements have been documented in various locales, with Chidgaon in Shimla district receiving 75 cm, Shikari Mata 60 cm, Kothi 50 cm, and several others ranging from 25 cm to 12.2 cm.
Pervasive showers were observed in several regions of the state, with Rohru being the most inundated with 40 mm of precipitation. Cold wave conditions persevered in the lower hills, with Kukumseri registering the lowest temperature at minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
As per the Meteorological prognosis, three or four episodes of substantial rain or snowfall are anticipated in Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Kinnaur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi during this period. The state, which encountered a parched January with a 99% precipitation shortfall, is prognosticated to experience a moist phase until February 5. However, the snowfall is expected to impede essential services and diminish visibility.