Himachal Pradesh: #Shimla turns white with fresh snowfall, temperature dips to 3 Degree Celsius

Shimla, March 12: Well-known tourist destinations Shimla along with other areas in Himachal Pradesh were hit by a thunder squall followed by a hailstorm. Shimla and its surrounding areas received fresh snowfall and brought the cold wave conditions across the state. On March 11, Kothi recorded 40 cm, followed by Kalpa 23 cm, Udaipur and Khadrala 13 cm, Gondola 10 cm, Manali 7 cm and Keylong 6 cm of rain. Traffic was hit and normal life was disrupted across the state by the fresh spell of snowfall. Shimla SP DW Negi said, “The road is closed for traffic after snowfall in Kufri.” The snowfall in the region forced most schools to remain shut due to the bad weather.

The India Meteorological Department on March 8 mentioned in its report that an active Western Disturbance will affect northwest India from 7th March to 11th March, 2017. “Fairly widespread rainfall/snowfall will commence over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh from 7th March evening. The intensity & spatial distribution of precipitation will increase from 8th March with fairly widespread to widespread precipitation over Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, upto 10th March and decrease thereafter”. The release further stated that isolated thunder squall/hail would occur over Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from 9th to 10th and isolated heavy rainfall/snowfall on 9th March 2017.