Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of HP and Uttarakhand
Fresh snowfall in higher reaches of HP and Uttarakhand : The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand received fresh snowfall whereas the intermittent rains intensify cold conditions in the plains. According to agriculture experts, light rain is considered good for crops at this stage.
The MeT department predicted snowfall or rain in the Kashmir Valley . There was not much change recorded in the temperatures in the Kashmir Valley and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, where water pipes freeze and burst in harsh winters.
Fog caused travel disruptions in some parts of the plains, where temperatures dipped due to overcast skies. The cold weather alongwith light rain and fog was a troublesome proposition for the people in Delhi. The city recorded a high of 17 degrees Celsius, and a low of 9.4 degrees Celsius.
The capital of Himachal Pradesh, its surrounding areas and parts of Sirmaur, Solan and, Lahaul and Spiti received snowfall, while mid and lowers hills witnessed scattered rains, breaking the seven-week-long dry spell in the state.
Shimla and its surrounding areas witnessed intermittent snowfall this afternoon affecting vehicular traffic and disrupting normal life. Kufri, Chail, Fagu and Narkanda received moderate snowfall while Churdhar ranges in Sirmaur, Chansel Pass and Nankhari area of Rampur were experiencing intermittent snowfall.
Nohra Dhar, Gatta Dhar, Bathau Dhar and Banali Dharare recorded 6 cm to 8 cm of snow, the MeT department said. Rains and snowfall has brought cheers to farmers, apple growers and hoteliers.
"The dry spell had threatened Rabi crop and apple growing prospects while the occupancy in hotels in Shimla had come down to 20 per cent. But now, we can hope for a revival," a senior official of the agriculture department said.
Overcast conditions brightened the chances of a downpour in Kashmir Valley where people are hoping for an end to the month-long dry spell. The MET department forecast rain or snowfall at isolated places.
Extremely dry and cold weather in Kashmir have led to health-related problems among children and elderly. It is to be mentioned that many parts of Punjab and Haryana received light rain.
In Punjab, Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala experienced cold weather at 6.7, 6.4 and 9.6 degrees Celsius respectively. In Haryana, Ambala's minimum settled at 10.2 degrees Celsius, while Hisar, Karnal and Narnaul recorded their lows at 11.3, 8.5 and 8 deg C respectively.
Light rain occurred at some places in Rajasthan due to a western disturbance. According to the MeT department, the state's sole hill station Mount Abu recorded a low of 6.4 degrees Celsius. In the plains, Alwar recorded 6.2 degrees Celsius.
- PTC news
