Shimla: Snowfall has started on the high mountains of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla witnessed light snowfall between 6 and 7 am. One to one and a half inches of fresh snow fell in Kufri, Narkanda and Kharapathar. A thick sheet of 2 inches of snow has been laid in Sissu, Koksar, Atal Tunnel Rohtang of Lahaul Spiti.
Lahaul Spiti Police has issued an advisory to the local people including tourists not to go to the high mountains in view of the snowfall warning. According to the Meteorological Department, snowfall alert has been issued in the high areas of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Chamba, Shimla, Kullu, Kangra and Mandi today.
After fresh snowfall in the high areas, the roads have become slippery. Movement of vehicles has been stopped for Atal Tunnel Rohtang. Now only four by four vehicles are being allowed to go. Travelling has become risky after fresh snowfall in Narkanda and Kharapathar.
On the other hand, it has been raining intermittently since 4 am in the plains. There is a forecast of good rain and snowfall throughout the day today. Tomorrow, i.e. from 17 to 20 January, the Western Disturbance will weaken a bit. For the next four days, there may be light snowfall in some areas of Chamba, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti. But on January 21, the Western Disturbance will be strong again. Due to this, there is a possibility of rain and snowfall again in most parts of the state.
Cold wave alert in 6 districts today
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert of cold wave in 6 districts today. This warning has been given to Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur districts.
Dense fog will also trouble people in these districts for 3 days from tomorrow. Due to this, the visibility can drop to 50 meters in the morning. Fog in the plains of the state has been troubling people for the past one week.
85 percent less rain than normal in January
The weather department has issued rain and snowfall alerts several times in the month of January. But there is no good rain and snowfall. Although there was good rain and snowfall in December. But the clouds are not raining in January. According to the weather department, between January 1 and 15, there is 32.1 mm normal rainfall. But this time, 4.7 mm of rain has occurred, which is 85 percent less than normal.