Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, October 6
Fresh snowfall and heavy rain have lashed Himachal Pradesh, marking a sharp shift in weather across the hill state. Higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu and Chamba have been witnessing continuous snowfall since early Sunday morning. According to reports, Manimahesh and Kugti in Chamba district recorded around two centimetres of fresh snow. The snowfall has forced the closure of Rohtang Pass, Kunzum Top and Chandratal roads, disrupting connectivity to several high-altitude regions.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh and parts of Punjab recorded heavy rainfall, while in Himachal’s mid and lower hills, relentless downpour has led to a steep fall in temperature. Manali’s maximum temperature dropped to 7.8°C, while Keylong recorded a minimum of 0.1°C. In Dalhousie, the mercury plunged to 6°C. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla, attributed the weather change to an active Western Disturbance, which is expected to impact the region until October 7. An orange alert has been issued for October 5 and 6, warning of heavy rain, snowfall, hailstorms and strong winds in many districts. A yellow alert has also been issued for Una, Chamba and Kangra on October 7.
The season’s first snowfall has already blanketed Rohtang Pass, Baralacha La and the Dhauladhar ranges, while light to moderate precipitation may continue until October 9, officials said. The IMD has urged residents and travellers to remain cautious, especially in high-altitude and landslide-prone areas, due to possible road blockages and poor visibility.
