Himachal braces for four days of rain as western disturbance returns; snow likely on high peaks

PTC Web Desk:  Himachal Pradesh is set for another spell of wet weather as a western disturbance becomes active again from Tuesday. The Meteorological Department expects rain to continue for the next four days, while the higher reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba may see fresh snowfall.

Yellow alerts issued

For Tuesday, the department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts. Thunderstorms and lightning are also possible at a few places. On Wednesday, the yellow alert covers Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla.

The system is expected to peak on October 15. A yellow alert has been issued for every district that day, except Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti. Temperatures will stay below normal through this period.

When will the weather clear?

The western disturbance will begin to weaken from October 16. Light drizzle may occur at one or two mid-altitude locations on October 17. From October 18, the skies are expected to clear fully.

High-altitude areas turn bitterly cold

After rain and snow over the past 24 hours, the higher areas have turned very cold, with conditions feeling more like December than October.

Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti recorded a minimum of minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, the first sub-zero reading of this winter season. Minimum temperatures at Shinku La, Rohtang and Baralacha La have dropped below 2 degrees and seven towns across the state have recorded lows under 10 degrees.

Daytime temperatures fall sharply

Maximum temperatures have also fallen steeply. The state’s average maximum is 7.3 degrees below normal. Chamba saw the biggest drop, falling 15.1 degrees below normal to 16.8 degrees.

The sharp fall has made mornings, evenings and nights noticeably colder in the hills.

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