Western Disturbance to Bring Rain & Snowfall Till February 5
Shimla, January 30 : Himachal Pradesh’s higher-altitude areas witnessed light snowfall overnight, while the plains, including Shimla and Manali, remained dry with clear skies. Light snowfall was recorded in Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Chamba, bringing temporary relief from the cold wave. Manali’s upper reaches, Rohtang Pass, and Kothi in Kullu received fresh snowfall, with Kothi recording 1 cm of snow.
Despite snowfall in isolated regions, most of the state continues to experience clear weather. The sunshine in Shimla and Manali has helped ease the cold wave, but meteorologists have predicted deteriorating weather conditions in the coming days.
Rain & Snow Expected from February 1-5
According to the Meteorological Department, an active Western Disturbance will impact Himachal Pradesh on February 1 and February 3, potentially bringing rain and fresh snowfall across multiple districts.
📌 Yellow Alert Issued: Strong winds and lightning are expected in certain areas within the next 24 hours.
📌 Snowfall Likely in High Altitude Regions: Upper Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Manali, and Chamba are expected to witness fresh snowfall.
📌 Rain in Lower and Mid-Hill Regions: Areas like Shimla, Dharamshala, Mandi, and Solan may receive rain showers till February 5.
Cold Wave Continues as Temperatures Drop
Despite the brief warmth during the day, night temperatures continue to plummet.
| Location | Minimum Temperature (°C) |
|---|---|
| Tabo (Lahaul-Spiti) | -5.9°C |
| Kukumseri | -0.8°C |
| Kalpa (Kinnaur) | 1°C |
| Shimla | 5°C |
| Manali | 5.1°C |
| Sundernagar | 6.2°C |
| Bhuntar | 5.1°C |
| Dharamshala | 5.2°C |
| Una | 5.8°C |
| Nahan | 7.4°C |
| Palampur | 5.5°C |
| Mandi | 7°C |
| Kangra | 8.3°C |
| Bilaspur | 7.8°C |
📌 Shimla Colder than Manali: For the first time this winter, Shimla’s minimum temperature (5°C) was lower than Manali’s (5.1°C).
Farmers & Apple Growers Concerned Over Dry Conditions
- Lack of Rainfall & Snow Hurting Agriculture:
- Farmers fear damage to wheat crops in plains and apple orchards in higher altitudes.
- Apple sapling sales have dipped, with only 50% of the targeted 1.10 lakh saplings sold due to dry conditions.
- Deadline for Plantation:
- In lower regions, apple saplings must be planted by February 15, while higher-altitude regions can continue till March.
- Experts Await Rainfall:
- Sudharshana Negi, Deputy Director of Horticulture (Shimla), stated that if it rains before February 15, sapling sales are expected to pick up.
- Masobra Horticulture Officer Priya Kapil noted that usually, all saplings are sold by January 20, but this year, a significant stock remains unsold due to weather concerns.
Will the Weather Change in Time?
With farmers and orchardists anxiously waiting for snowfall, all eyes are now on the Western Disturbance expected to hit the region in the first week of February. If rain and snow fail to arrive, agricultural output could take a severe hit, impacting the state’s economy.
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.
