Farmers and apple growers rejoice in the first snow of the year
Shimla and its surrounding areas and the higher hills in Sirmaur received the first snow of the year.
The rain and snow broke the seven-week-long dry spell, bringing cheers to farmers and apple growers. The snow disrupted the vehicular traffic on the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway near Narkanda and Kharapatthar.
Coming as a relief for farmers mainly, the rain and snow has broken a prolonged dry spell and brought cheers to farmers while apple growers heaved a sigh of relief.
Snow during this period is considered white manure for the apple crop as it provides much-needed cooling hours and moisture.
However, farmers in several areas are worried as rain was not widespread and some areas did not receive any rain or snow. More rain is required to have normal rabi and apple crop.
Rain has provided relief to Forest and Irrigation and Public Health Departments struggling with forest fires in many parts while natural sources of water are drying up which could cause acute water shortage during summer. The rain will help replenish the natural sources of water to some extent.
The MeT has predicted dry weather for six days from tomorrow and rain or snow in higher hills on January 24.
Nankhari in Rampur, Kufri, Fagu and parts of the higher hills of Sirmaur had moderate snow while lower hills received rain.
The lower areas of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Kullu and Kangra districts received intermittent rain, intensifying the cold conditions. Chail also saw snowflakes.
