IMD sounds yellow alert  rain and Snowfall 

India. Meteorological department sounded yellow alert of rain or snowfall in Himachal Pradesh from 11 to 13 January. A fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the State from today night,” it stated. Sounding a yellow alert for 12 and 13 January statewide, they added, “Under its influence fairly widespread to widespread rainfall and light to moderate snowfall is likely to occur in the mid hills & high hills in the district of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur and Shimla from the late afternoon/evening 11th Jan to 13thJan 2023. Snowfall is also likely to occur in Shimla town during the period,” they confirmed. The IMD also forecast, Isolated spells of heavy rainfall or snowfall, very likely to occur in districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul Spiti, Kullu and higher reaches of Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi and adjoining areas from late night of 11th to 12th January. They stated that occasional development of thunderstorms or lightning is likely to occur in isolated parts of the State during 11th to 12th January. There shall be a fall in minimum temperatures by an average 3-4 degrees in the State from 12th January onwards. The bad weather may cause disruption of essential services like water and electricity, communications and related services in Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahul-Spiti, Chamba, Shimla, Mandi and Kullu, added the IMD. They also informed that visibility conditions are also very likely to decrease in the State and on National Highways and valleys in hilly regions of the State in view of low level clouds/foggy conditions during this period. Amongst other safety measures the IMD suggested that one should avoid going in open areas in view of expected thunderstorms/blizzard. The IMD called upon the district administration Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahual Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Kangra to keep watch in order to minimize disruptions of essential services and also on movements of tourists in view of expected bad weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh during 11th to13th January 2023.