Udaipur Kiran | October 6 Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is reeling under severe cold as early snowfall in the first week of October has gripped several parts of the state. Snowfall, which usually occurs in December or January, has arrived much earlier this year, surprising residents and tourists alike.
According to the Meteorological Department, intermittent snowfall is continuing in the upper regions of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, and Chamba districts, while several low-lying areas including the capital Shimla are witnessing rainfall accompanied by strong winds. The sudden weather change is attributed to an active western disturbance, leading to a sharp drop in temperature across the state.
The average minimum temperature in Himachal has fallen 1.6°C below normal. In Lahaul-Spiti’s district headquarters Keylong, the mercury dipped to 0.1°C on Monday. Other minimum temperatures recorded include 6.4°C in Kalpa (Kinnaur), 5.2°C in Tabo and Kukumseri, 5.8°C in Narkanda, 6°C in Dalhousie, 6.8°C in Kufri, 8.5°C in Manali, 7°C in Bharmour, and 11.5°C in Shimla. The cold has prompted locals to bring out their woollens and light bonfires in higher altitudes.
Fresh snowfall of about two inches has been reported from Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Sissu, and Kokhsar in Lahaul valley, affecting vehicular movement as roads turned slippery. Daily life in the region has been disrupted due to the severe cold. The Shimla Meteorological Centre has predicted continued snowfall in high-altitude areas over the next 24 hours.
An alert has been issued for Lahaul-Spiti and upper Chamba areas. Chamba’s popular tourist destination Sach Pass has also recorded its first snowfall of the season with 2–2.5 inches of fresh snow. Light snowfall has been reported from Kinnaur, while rain continues in the lower and plain areas of the state.
As per the weather department, Guler in Kangra recorded the highest rainfall at 42 mm, followed by 38 mm in Nagrota Surian, 37 mm in Bharwain, 35 mm in Dehra Gopipur, 34 mm in Pachhad (Sirmaur), 32 mm in Aghar (Hamirpur), and 28 mm in Nadaun. Kullu’s Gondla received 5 cm of snowfall and Keylong 4 cm.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall and thunderstorms with winds of 40–50 kmph. A yellow alert remains in place for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.
For October 7, heavy rainfall and winds up to 40 kmph have been predicted in Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi. On October 8, weather conditions are expected to remain unfavorable though no alert has been issued. The department expects clear skies and normal weather across the state between October 9 and 12.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
