Shimla: Heavy rain and snowfall continues in the hilly states of the country. Heavy snowfall has been occurring in the higher regions of Himachal Pradesh for the last 3 days and rain in the lower regions. There are chances of rain and snowfall again on March 3. However, the weather will become completely clear across the state on March 5 and 6.
According to the State Emergency Operation Center, more than 650 roads and more than 2300 transformers have stopped working due to three days of snowfall in the state. Badrinath National Highway has been closed. More than 10 vehicles were washed away in the flood caused by cloudburst in Kangra and Kullu districts.
Schools and colleges have also been closed in Chamba and Manali. However, CBSE board exams will be held as per the scheduled schedule.
On the other hand, in Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg received the maximum snowfall of 113 cm and Sonamarg received 75 cm snowfall during February 25 to 28. Due to bad weather, the Jammu and Kashmir government has extended the winter vacation in schools for 6 days.
Apart from this, the dates of examinations for classes 10th to 12th which were to be held on 1st and 3rd March have been extended. Now these exams will be conducted on 24th and 25th March.
The continuous rain has made up for the winter rain deficit by 50%. This has increased the level of rivers and other water bodies by 3 to 4 feet. Batote in Ramban district recorded the highest rainfall of 163.7 mm. It was followed by Katra with 118 mm and Banihal with 100 mm.
More heat than normal expected in March
The weather department has predicted that this year the heat will be higher than normal. Except for some southern areas, the maximum temperature in most parts of the country may remain higher than normal. Heat waves may also occur during this period.
This is because the average temperature in February after 1901 was 1.34 degrees more than normal, i.e. 22.04 degrees Celsius. Apart from this, this year February received 10.9 mm rainfall which is the 18th lowest rainfall since 1901.
Weather changed in plain areas too
The changing weather in the mountains has also affected the plains. Due to this, the temperature has dropped after rain in some parts of Punjab and Haryana. Chandigarh, the common capital of both the states, received 10.9 mm of rain. The temperature here dropped by 3 degrees. At the same time, Amritsar in Punjab received 17.5 mm, Gurdaspur 20.7 mm and Hoshiarpur 20.5 mm of rain.