Weather update: Thunderstorms were observed in Shimla, Jubbarhatti, Kangra, Sundernagar and Kullu’s Bhuntar. Shallow fog reduced visibility to about 800 metres in parts of Mandi district, the weather office said.
Himachal Pradesh, which has been witnessing snow spells in the past week, received fresh snowfall on Sunday in isolated places of higher reaches, while moderate rains lashed several parts of the hill state. The Shimla Meteorological office has forecast rainfall to continue in the state till March 21, barring Tuesday. Some areas in the state have witnessed snowfall since Saturday evening.
Kothi in Manali received 27.5 cm of snow, Shimla’s Khadrala 5 cm, Kinnaur’s Kalpa 4 cm and Sangla 3.4 cm while Lahaul and Spiti’s Gondla recorded 15 cm of snowfall, Kukumseri 4.8 cm and Keylong 4 cm.
Thunderstorms were observed in Shimla, Jubbarhatti, Kangra, Sundernagar and Kullu’s Bhuntar. Shallow fog reduced visibility to about 800 metres in parts of Mandi district, the weather office said.
Rainfall lashes Manali, Bhuntur, Seobagh, Katula
Several areas in Himachal Pradesh were lashed by rains. Manali recorded 66 mm of rains followed by Bhuntar 46.6 mm, Kasol 44 mm, Seobagh 42 mm, Gohar 36mm, Kothi 34 mm, Baggi 32.1 mm, Katula 30.3 mm, Pandoh and Rohru 30 mm each and Bijahi 26.2 mm.
Ghagas in Bilaspur received 25.6 mm rain, Sundernagar 26.2 mm, Pooh 22.8 mm, Jubbal 21.4 mm, Mandi 18.4 mm, Jogindernagar 18 mm Shillaro 17 mm, Slapper 16.5 mm, Baldwara 16.0 mm and Kufri 15 mm.
The Meteorological office has predicted light to moderate rain at few places on Sunday and light rain at isolated places of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. Higher reaches of Chamba, Kangra and Kullu will also witness a wet spell from March 17 to 21, barring March 18 when the weather would remain dry, it said.
A fresh, feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from March 19. Keylong recorded the lowest night temperature of minus 2 degrees Celsius while Dhaulakuan in Sirmaur district was hottest during the day recording a high of 28.3 degree Celsius.
From March 1 to 16, Himachal Pradesh has received 73.2 mm of rainfall against the normal of 60.7mm, marking an excess of 21 per cent.
(With inputs from PTI)