Weather changes in Himachal: Cold wave due to Snowfall, Rain deficit raises drought concerns

The weather in Himachal Pradesh has changed once again, bringing fresh snowfall to several high-altitude areas and intensifying the cold. Rohtang, Narkanda, and parts of Lahaul-Spiti experienced light to moderate snowfall, while the state capital, Shimla, witnessed light snow and drizzle. The temperature has dropped significantly, leading to a stronger cold wave across the region.

Highway Blocked Due to Snowfall, Traffic Affected

Snowfall in Narkanda has led to snow accumulation on National Highway-5 (NH-5), disrupting traffic. For safety reasons, authorities have diverted traffic from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri-Sunni. Similarly, Rohtang Pass, Koksar, and Sissu have also recorded fresh snowfall. In Kullu, overcast conditions persisted throughout the day, while worsening weather forced an HRTC bus, which departed for Keylong from Kullu at 7:18 AM, to return from Manali.

Weather May Change Again in the Coming Days

The Meteorological Center in Shimla had earlier predicted rain and snowfall in higher-altitude areas on Friday. According to the latest forecast, the weather will remain clear across the state on February 16 and 17. However, between February 18 and 21, widespread rain and snowfall are expected in several regions.

78% Less Rainfall This Winter, Drought-Like Conditions

Although the recent snowfall has provided temporary relief in some areas, Himachal Pradesh continues to experience a severe rainfall deficit this winter. Between January 1 and February 15, the state received 78% less rainfall than usual. The expected rainfall for this period was 134.9 mm, but only 29.6 mm was recorded.

Several districts are facing drought-like conditions. The rainfall deficit recorded in different districts is as follows: Bilaspur (92%), Chamba (75%), Hamirpur (90%), Kangra (88%), Kinnaur (90%), Kullu (63%), Lahaul-Spiti (73%), Mandi (73%), Shimla (81%), Sirmaur (87%), Solan (87%), and Una (90%).

Experts suggest that while the recent snowfall may provide short-term relief in high-altitude areas, the overall precipitation levels remain dangerously low for the season. This could have a significant impact on agriculture and water availability in the coming months, potentially worsening the situation further.