Shimla, Feb 24
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing a cloudy winter spell, with the capital city, Shimla, witnessing a drop in temperature. On Saturday morning, the mercury plunged to 0°C, a significant 3.7 degrees below normal, bringing freezing conditions to the region.
Several popular tourist destinations, including Manali and Dalhousie, recorded lows of 1.8°C and 1.2°C, respectively. The remote regions of Keylong and Kaza remained the coldest, with temperatures of -15°C and -18°C, respectively.
Kalpa in Kinnaur district received the highest snowfall of 4.3 centimeters and shivered under a record low of -3.4°C.
Tourist favourites like Kufri and Narkanda also experienced snowfall, attracting tourists despite the frigid conditions (Kufri: -2.2°C, Narkanda: -3.8°C).
The recent snowfall has caused significant travel disruptions across the state. A total of 336 roads, including four national highways, are currently blocked due to snow accumulation. Lahaul-Spiti district bears the brunt with 269 blocked roads, followed by Chamba (44) and Kullu (22).
Power outages have been reported in several areas, with 110 transmission lines disrupted, primarily concentrated in Chamba (63) and Lahaul-Spiti (47).
Ten water supply schemes, seven in Chamba and three in Lahaul-Spiti, are also affected by the inclement weather.
The weather is expected to remain dry for most of Sunday, offering a brief respite from the harsh conditions.
However, the meteorological office predicts a change from Monday onwards, with rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, and lightning possible in some parts of the state. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and closely monitor weather updates before embarking on their journeys.
Tourist destinations like Kufri and Narkanda, while experiencing heavy snowfall, are still witnessing a significant influx of tourists drawn to the winter wonderland scenery.
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