Shimla: Snowfall has started once again in the higher regions of Lahaul Spiti in Himachal Pradesh from late Saturday evening. Many areas including the state capital Shimla remained cloudy. After rain and snowfall in the higher regions, the effect of mild cold has also increased in the state.
One inch of fresh snow has fallen in Rohtang tunnel. After this, the roads have become slippery. In view of the snowfall, the police has advised against unnecessary travel in high altitude areas.
According to the Meteorological Department (IMD), light snowfall and rain was forecast in the higher regions of the state on Saturday and light snowfall occurred in Lahaul Spiti. According to IMD, the weather will be clear across the state today. On the other hand, Western Disturbance (WD) will become active again from tomorrow i.e. 3 February.
Due to this, there are chances of rain and snowfall in some high altitude areas of the state on February 4 and 5. The Meteorological Department has predicted that there may be rain and snowfall in many parts of the state on January 4.
After monsoon, winters are also turning out to be dry
After the monsoon, the winters in the state have also been dry. Himachal has received very little rain so far. This has led to drought-like conditions. Normal rainfall in January is 85.3 mm. But this time, only 13.3 mm of rain has fallen. Last year too, there was 6.8 mm rainfall in January.
According to IMD, this January has received the least rainfall till date. In 2024, there was 92 percent less rainfall than normal, in 2018 it was 90 percent and this time it was 84 percent less than normal.
Rise in temperature
Due to lack of rain and snowfall, the temperature of the state has increased. The average minimum temperature of the state has become 1.2 degrees more than normal and the maximum temperature has also become 2.3 degrees more than normal. If there is rain or snowfall in the coming days, then the temperature may fall by 2 to 4 degrees.