Shimla and Manali experienced their first snowfall of the season on Friday, turning roads and mountains white. A large number of tourists arrived to enjoy the snow-covered landscapes.
A weather department official informed that snowfall has been occurring in Shimla and nearby areas since morning. This marks the first snowfall of the current season in Shimla city.
The official added that snowy scenes in Shimla are expected to continue for a day or two. Light snowfall is also being reported in higher regions of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Shimla districts.
Tourist spots near Shimla, such as Kufri and Narkanda, have also received snowfall, enhancing their beauty. Nidhi Gupta, a tourist from Ludhiana visiting Shimla with friends, expressed gratitude for the white blanket of snow.
In Kangra Valley, fresh snow has covered the Dhauladhar mountain ranges. Heavy snowfall was reported in Kalpa and Keylong areas of Lahaul and Spiti district, approximately 250 km from the state capital.
Rainfall in lower regions like Dharamshala, Palampur, Solan, Nahan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi has caused a significant drop in temperatures. The snowfall has brought relief to farmers and fruit growers, whose orchards were stressed due to severe drought over the past three months.
Meanwhile, traffic beyond Dhalli, 10 km from Shimla, was stopped as a large portion of the INDIA-Tibet road was covered with thick snow. A government official reported that heavy snowfall has cut off the entire Kinnaur district and areas in Shimla district such as Narkanda, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Kumarsain, Kharapathar, Rohru, and Chopal.
The weather department stated that a western disturbance originating from the Mediterranean-Caspian region and passing through Afghanistan-Pakistan will remain active until Sunday, bringing more rain and snowfall. A meteorologist warned that minimum temperatures could fall by three to four degrees after skies clear.
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.