Shimla, April 9
High altitude regions of Lahaul and Spiti, along with Shimla district, received fresh snowfall on Thursday, while moderate to heavy rainfall lashed several other parts of Himachal Pradesh. The local Meteorological station reported that the state capital and its surrounding suburbs experienced a severe hailstorm, which contributed to a sharp decline in temperatures. Wintry conditions have returned suddenly to the hills, as minimum temperatures remained 2 to 7 degrees below the seasonal average and maximum temperatures plummeted 9 to 14 degrees below normal across most locations over the last 24 hours.
The combination of heavy precipitation and snow has significantly increased the threat of landslides across the state. In the Kullu district, an under-construction building situated near the Jawahar Navodaya School in Bandrol was severely damaged following a massive landslide. Local officials confirmed that the incident endangered several nearby houses and a hotel, prompting the emergency evacuation of residents and guests to ensure their safety.
According to data released by the weather office, Khadrala in Shimla district recorded 5 cm of fresh snow, while Gondla and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti received 2 cm and 1 cm respectively. In terms of rainfall, Brahmani recorded the highest at 53.6 mm followed by Olinda at 40 mm and Jot at 38.2 mm. Other areas, including Dharamshala, Manali, and Shimla, also recorded significant rainfall. Although residents saw a brief period of bright sunshine in the morning, the sky became overcast by the afternoon, bringing light showers to various locations.
Travel and tourism have also been impacted by the changing weather. Large numbers of people are currently travelling to the Atal Tunnel in the Manali suburbs to see the fresh snow. However, authorities have warned of slippery road conditions and are only permitting 4X4 vehicles to travel beyond Solang Nallah to prevent accidents. Keylong was recorded as the coldest place in the state with a minimum temperature of -0.4 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has predicted that light rain and snow will continue at isolated places from April 10 to 12. Forecasters also cautioned that a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region starting April 15. While a gradual rise in temperatures is expected over the next few days, the immediate focus remains on monitoring landslide-prone areas and ensuring the safety of commuters on high-altitude roads.
