Tabo mercury at –10.2°C as fresh snowfall intensifies Himachal winter
Shimla, Jan 5,
A fresh bout of snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours has reinforced severe winter conditions across the state, even as cold waves, dense fog and widespread frost continued to disrupt normal life in many regions.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s Meteorological Centre in Shimla, Khoksar in Lahaul-Spiti received about 2 cm of fresh snow, while Kalpa and Gondla witnessed light snowfall. Isolated high hill areas also reported very light snow, adding to the winter chill already gripping the region.
Cold conditions intensified sharply in the trans-Himalayan belt, with Tabo recording a bone-chilling minimum of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the state. Several locations in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and upper Chamba remained below freezing, underlining the prevalence of an extreme cold wave. Kukumseri and Khoksar hovered close to minus 9 to minus 10 degrees, keeping the entire belt locked in sub-zero temperatures. In Kinnaur’s Kalpa and Sangla, night temperatures dipped to between minus 2 and minus 4 degrees, with heavy frost further intensifying the cold.
In the mid-hill zone, Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of around 2.6 degrees Celsius, while Kufri and Narkanda remained colder, ranging from about 0.4 to minus 1.5 degrees. Manali settled near minus 2.4 degrees. Lower down, Mandi and Solan experienced relatively milder nights with minimums between 4 and 6 degrees, though cold winds continued to bite.
The lower hills and plains were not spared either. Dharamshala, Kangra and Una reported minimum temperatures between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius, but dense fog and icy winds made conditions feel significantly harsher. Dense to very dense fog was also observed in Sundernagar, Mandi and Paonta Sahib, severely reducing visibility and affecting vehicular movement. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in several low hill and plain districts.
Despite largely dry and sunny daytime conditions in areas such as Shimla, Kufri and Narkanda, freezing nights led to thick frost formation. Water supply lines froze in several localities, while in parts of Kinnaur, small water channels and nullahs were found completely iced over, reflecting the intensity of the cold spell.
In view of the prevailing situation, the District Disaster Management Authority, Lahaul-Spiti issued a special advisory for commuters and tourists. Authorities warned that road icing and black ice have rendered several routes slippery and unsafe. While many roads remain closed due to recent snowfall, limited movement has been allowed on select stretches with the mandatory use of snow chains. Travellers have been urged to avoid non-essential travel and strictly adhere to official advisories.
Although recent light rain and snowfall have contributed to improved air quality in parts of the state, the combined impact of freezing temperatures, fog and icy roads has forced people indoors. With harsh winter conditions persisting, particularly during night and early morning hours, Himachal Pradesh continues to remain under the grip of an intense cold spell.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
