Shimla: With much of the winter having witnessed usually warm weather and clear skies, the meteorological office today forecast heavy snow, hailstorms and rain from 6th to 9th February, sending out a warning to tourists not to travel into high altitude or remote zones.
Met director Manmohan Singh said, “A western disturbance is likely to approach Himachal Pradesh on 6th February and it will active over the region till 9th February.
Under the influence of this western disturbance, at few places it is likely to snow in higher hills and rain in lower regions the day it hits the state.
The disturbance would remain most active on 7th and 8th February when precipitation would occur over most of the places in the state, he said.
Heavy snowfall would occur at isolated places in Himachal on 7th and 9th February, especially in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul & Spiti, Kinnaur and high reaches of Shimla. There could be isolated hailstorms is some places, said the met director.
Issuing a travel advisory, he said, “Tourists are advised not to travel on the high altitude or remote areas of the state in view of the expected heavy snowfall during the 7th to 9th February.
With a January mean high temperature recorded at 15.4 degree Celsius, it was the hottest start January in six years.
Meanwhile apple orchard owners and farmers wait patiently in anticipation of the forecast snow-rain as the prolonged dry weather threatens crops.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
