Shimla: Several parts of Himachal Pradesh witnessed fresh snowfall and rainfall, ending a prolonged dry period and offering much-needed relief to farmers and orchard owners across the state. The weather change has improved soil moisture and raised hopes for upcoming agricultural and horticultural activities.
Higher altitude regions experienced light to moderate snowfall, particularly in Lahaul and Spiti, as well as the upper areas of Kullu district near the Atal Tunnel. Snow was also reported in elevated locations of Shimla district, including popular hill destinations such as Narkanda and Kufri.
At the same time, many towns received measurable rainfall. Bhuntar recorded around 12 mm of rain, followed by Manali with 8 mm. Shimla, which had remained dry for nearly six weeks, received 6 mm of rainfall, while Dharamsala recorded about 3 mm during the latest weather spell.
The fresh precipitation led to a noticeable dip in temperatures throughout the state. Over the past 24 hours, minimum temperatures dropped by roughly 3°C to 7°C in various regions. Daytime temperatures also declined, falling by about 4°C to 7°C in several districts.
Meteorological officials have indicated that the current weather pattern is expected to continue for a few more days. Snowfall and rainfall are likely to persist in different parts of the state until March 21. Authorities have also issued a yellow alert for ten districts on March 16 and March 18, cautioning residents about possible weather-related disruptions.
Temperature readings across the state showed considerable variation. Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 9.6°C, while Dharamsala reported 13.7°C and Manali 9.9°C. Other areas such as Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Bilaspur also experienced cooler conditions following the rainfall.
Among the monitored locations, Nahan recorded the highest maximum temperature at 28.7°C, making it the warmest place in the state. In contrast, Tabo in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti registered the lowest minimum temperature at 1.4°C.
The recent spell of precipitation has been welcomed by the farming community, as the moisture is expected to benefit crops and orchards that were affected by the extended dry conditions earlier this season.
