Heavy rain, snowfall continue in HP; avalanche hits near Atal Tunnel

Kullu: Many parts of the low and mid hills of Himachal Pradesh recorded moderate to heavy rainfall, and upper reaches continue to receive light snowfall even as an avalanche struck near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel on Sunday.It rained in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla, and it snowed in the high-altitude areas, including the mountain passes.According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Lahaul Spiti, 145 roads remained blocked in the district, including Koksar to Rohtang Pass, Darcha to Shinkula Pass and Lossar to Batal.An avalanche struck near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel on Sunday; however, no loss was reported. The Lahaul Spiti administration has already restricted the tourist movement and commercial activities in the avalanche-prone zones near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel.According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, by 8.30 am on Sunday, the state recorded an average rainfall of 10.7 mm, which was 256% more than the normal of 3 mm.This month, between April 1 and 5, the state recorded total rainfall of 21.9 mm, which is 117% higher than the normal of 10.1 mm.Tabo recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and Una the highest maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius on Sunday.Meanwhile, the Met has predicted light snow and rain in parts of the state on Monday as well. The weather department has also issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and gusty winds in parts of the state on April 6.