Shimla: For the first time in many decades, Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, and its surrounding tourist spots witnessed their first snowfall of the season on Sunday evening, a rarity for early December. The hospitality sector is anticipating an influx of tourists as a result.
According to an official from the Meteorological Department, “Shimla and nearby areas have seen light snowfall, marking the season’s first snowfall in the town.” Tourist destinations like Kufri and Narkanda have also been blanketed in snow, enhancing their scenic beauty.
As word of the snowfall spreads, it is expected that tourists will flock to Shimla, famous for its grand colonial architecture that dates back to its time as the summer capital of British India. Local resident Ganesh Sud noted, “This is the first time in over two decades that we have had snowfall in early December.” His daughter, Radhika, a college student, echoed his sentiment, saying, “It’s my first time witnessing snowfall in early December.”
However, the snowy landscape in Shimla is expected to last only a few hours due to relatively high minimum temperatures, according to a Met Office official. Reports indicate that areas in the apple-growing regions of Jubbal and Kharapathar also received snow.
Additionally, high-altitude regions in Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Shimla districts have experienced snowfall, while the Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra valley are now covered in snow. Keylong in the Lahaul and Spiti district also reported snowfall. Meanwhile, lower areas of the state, including Dharamsala, Palampur, Solan, Nahan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi, received rain, leading to a significant drop in temperature. The Met Office has predicted that scattered rain or snow may continue across the state until Monday, with temperatures expected to decrease by three to four degrees once the weather clears.
