Shimla, Sept 19,
As Himachal Pradesh continues to grapple with inclement weather, high reaches get more snowfall with the cold wave increasing. Following a yellow alert for heavy rainfall remains in place for several districts the state witnessed a mix of rain, snowfall, and cloudy skies over the past few days.
Rohtang pass receives light snowfall: The higher reaches of the state, including the 13,050-foot-high Rohtang Pass, experienced a light spell of snowfall on Wednesday. This followed a period of coldwave conditions in the region. Other nearby peaks in Lahaul-Spiti district also received snowfall.
Capital city Shimla affected: The capital city, Shimla, along with many other districts, experienced cloudy weather throughout the day. Temperatures dipped, making mornings and evenings noticeably colder.
Infrastructure damage and disruptions: The persistent rainfall has led to infrastructure damage, with 32 roads and 26 power transformers remaining out of order as of Wednesday evening. One of the major disruptions was the collapse of National Highway-5 (NH-5) in Kinnaur, which had been blocked for 24 hours. However, restoration efforts allowed traffic to resume on Wednesday afternoon.
Rainfall and temperature data: Several locations in the state reported rainfall, including Mandi, Jubbarhatti, Dharamshala, Nahan, and Manali. Minimum temperatures recorded on Tuesday night were relatively low, with Shimla at 14.4°C, Dharamshala at 17.9°C, and Una at 21.2°C.
Outlook for the week ahead: While the yellow alert for heavy rainfall persists, the forecast indicates a clearing of weather conditions starting from September 20. The state remains vigilant as authorities work to restore infrastructure affected by the recent rains
