Kinnaur Experiences First Snowfall, Cold Wave Grips Himachal Pradesh
Several high-altitude areas of Kinnaur district woke up to a picturesque sight on Thursday morning as light snowfall blanketed the region, marking the onset of a cold wave. Popular spots such as Kalpa, Nichar, and Pooh received fresh snow, while the peaks of Nakdam, Nithal, Thach, Ranikanda, and Kinnaur Kailash were wrapped in white. In Batseri, snow accumulation reached up to seven centimeters, covering Sangla Kanda, Shoshala Peak, and Sigan Hills.
Lower-lying parts of Kinnaur weren’t left untouched either, as they experienced steady rainfall, further intensifying the chilly atmosphere. The sudden drop in temperature has taken many by surprise, signaling the arrival of winter-like conditions across the region.
Despite the weather’s challenges, transport in the area remains operational. Nagendra Chandla, Acting Regional Manager of the Transport Corporation in Reckong Peo, confirmed that vehicular movement between Reckong Peo, Shimla, and Pooh was still ongoing, providing some relief to residents and visitors.
However, the harsh weather has had its impact. By Thursday evening, 34 roads were blocked, and 24 electricity transformers were out of service, leaving parts of Himachal in the dark. Upper Shimla has been drenched in continuous rain, adding to the statewide disruption.
Yellow Alert Issued for Heavy Rainfall
The Meteorological Center in Shimla has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas of districts like Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur. With rain expected to continue through September 18, there are growing concerns about potential flash floods. The HydroMet Division of the IMD has also warned of moderate to high flood risks in watersheds and low-lying areas across Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, and Sirmaur.
Temperatures Plummet Across the State
The cold wave hasn’t spared other parts of Himachal either. Shimla’s temperature dipped to 12.8°C, Kalpa to 10°C, and the famous Buddhist spot of Tabo saw a dramatic drop to 8°C. Other popular tourist spots also witnessed cooler conditions, with Dalhousie recording 14.9°C and Kasauli 15.7°C. The coldest location in the state, Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti, experienced a low of 8.8°C.
Elsewhere, Manali saw a temperature of 16°C, Dharamshala and Solan both recorded 18°C, and Una and Nahan were at 22°C. The state capital’s main airport in Bhuntar (Kullu) registered 22°C, while Bilaspur settled at 21.7°C.
Rainfall Totals Rise
Rainfall has also been relentless, with Guler in Kangra district recording the highest at 64 mm. Other significant rainfall totals include Palampur at 46 mm, Dharamshala with 41 mm, and Slapper in Mandi district with 27 mm. In Kinnaur, Sangla recorded 20.8 mm of rain, while Kalpa saw 20.3 mm. Bilaspur’s Naina Devi received 18.4 mm.
As the rains continue, residents are urged to stay vigilant, especially with potential flooding risks in several districts.
