Higher reaches of Himachal welcomes winter: Snowfall brings joy to tourists and farmers

Winter has made its grand entry into the high-altitude regions of Himachal Pradesh, with the season’s first snowfall dusting areas like the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Rohtang Pass, Gulaba, and Spiti. This picturesque snowfall, which began on Saturday evening (November 23), heralds the arrival of winter in the Kullu district’s higher reaches.

For the tourism industry in Kullu-Manali, this snowfall is a reason to celebrate. Tourists and local businesses are eagerly gearing up for the busy winter season as the region transforms into a snow-clad paradise.

However, the biting cold had already announced winter’s approach even before the snowfall. Tabo in Lahaul Spiti recorded a bone-chilling minimum temperature of minus 8.7°C, with other areas like Samdo, Kukumsari, and Keylong also dipping below zero. As temperatures continue to plunge, the state braces for the peak winter ahead.

While the higher altitudes revel in snowfall, the rest of the state remains in the grip of a worrying dry spell. Regions like Mandi, Bilaspur, and Shimla have seen only light rainfall, and the persistent drought is taking a toll. Farmers are particularly affected, with 63% of wheat sowing still incomplete as the optimal sowing period slips away. The reduced rainfall has also lowered river and stream water levels, hampering drinking water supplies, irrigation projects, and hydroelectric power generation.

Adding to the challenges, the Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in parts of Mandi and Bilaspur, warning of visibility dropping below 50 meters. Drivers are advised to exercise caution on the roads.

Despite these hardships, the snowfall in the higher reaches offers a glimmer of joy, especially for tourists flocking to experience the magical winter landscape of Rohtang and its surroundings. As weather conditions are expected to stabilize in the coming days, the light snowfall stands as a beautiful reminder of the winter season settling over Himachal Pradesh.