Devanjana Mukherjee, Khabri Media
The first flakes of snow in higher regions and rain in low level regions transform the State into a mesmerizing winter wonderland.
Pic: Social Media
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing chilly weather after a fresh bout of snowfall in the higher reaches and rains in low hills and plains brought down the mercury across the state. After much delay, the capital city experienced the season’s first snowfall on Friday, leading to a surge of tourists enjoying the snow-covered landscape.
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Manali-Leh highway was blocked beyond Darcha while traffic on the Dharcha-Shinkula and Losser to Chhota-Dara stretch of National Highway 505 (Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu) has also come to a halt. Dalhousie received 6 cm of rain while Shimla, Solan, Mashobra, Narkanda, Palampur, and Poanta Sahib received 1 to 4 mm of rain.
Widespread rains in Himachal Pradesh and snowfall in the upper reaches of the state led to a sharp fall in temperatures as the weather department issued a “yellow alert”, warning of heavy rains and thunderstorms on Monday.
Pic: Social Media
The State is, being, a major tourist destination, an early onset of snowfall often kick-starts the winter tourism season. The first flakes of snow transform the region into a mesmerizing winter wonderland. From the Shimla-Kullu-Manali circuit to remote villages in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, the entire state experiences the magic of snowfall in its own unique way.
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Apart from tourism, it plays a crucial role in local agriculture as it acts as a natural reservoir, providing moisture for the soil and recharging groundwater reserves. This is vital for the successful cultivation of various crops, including apples, which are a significant source of income for the state.
Pic: Social Media
An early snowfall can help in gradually lowering the temperature, reducing the likelihood of frost damage to crops, on the other hand, it can also disrupt the harvesting of certain late-season fruits and vegetables, causing logistical challenges for farmers.
According to official reports from the MeT department, the western disturbance would continue to impact the state till Tuesday and the weather would remain dry from Wednesday onwards.
