Hill Post Seasons First Snows Excite Tourists – Farmers Across Himachal

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Seasons First Snows Excite Tourists – Farmers Across Himachal

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November 9, 2009

Ravinder Makhaik

Snow, widespread rain break dry spell

Shimla: Defying global warming patterns, early snows engulfed much of the higher reaches of the state to the delight of visiting tourists, residents and the farming community.

Dramatic drop in day temperatures kept most of Shimla residents and visiting tourists indoors whereas officer workers braved cold weather as there were no heating provisions in place at the onset of an early winter.

A heavy rain shower lashed the city in the late afternoon, leaving it washed and cold.

Reports of snow were received from higher reaches of Kinnaur, Solang valley, Narkanda, Kharapattar, Churchandini and higher reaches of Chamba.

Tourist destination of Narkanda reported about 3 inches of snow and so did Kharapattar. The slopes of Chansal in Rohru took on a white cover land locking the valley of Dodra Kawar.

However counting to the just concluded polling in Rohru is expected to begin in the morning according to schedule.

Till filing of the this report Rohtang Pass at the head of Kullu valley had recorded about 2 feet of snow and inclement weather continued to prevail as more snow was expected overnight.

Keylong, the district headquarter of the land locked region of Lahaul had recorded over 20 centimeters of snow by evening. An intense cold wave was sweeping through Kinnaur, Spiti, Lahaul and Bharmaur regions.

Winter sport lovers like ski instructor Champa were a delighted lot. “Unlike previous years, the early snow has raised hopes of a good snow through the winters and hopefully we would be able to conduct skiing events as well as training courses,” said Champa.

Widespread rains were reported from lower hills. The meteorological office recorded -1.6 degrees Celsius at Kalpa in Kinnaur at the high for the day there was 7.1 degree. In Shimla the mercury recorded a low of 9.1 and a high of 11.5, in Sundernagar (Mandi) it was 8 and 16.4, in Bhuntar (Kullu ) it was 6.8 and 12 degrees whereas at Dharamshala the low was 9.8 and he high recorded was 21.3 degree Celsius, met director Manmohan Singh disclosed.

The met office forecast more rain and snow over the next 24 hours.