HP records above normal temperatures; light rain, snow predicted

Shimla: The weather in Himachal Pradesh is getting unusually warmer due to the ongoing dry spell, even as the weather department predicted the possibility of light rain and snow in parts of the state this weekend.Himachal Pradesh saw a gradual rise in both the minimum and maximum temperatures over the last month in most parts of the state, mainly due to deficient rainfall in February.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, the state received 15.7 mm of rainfall in February, which was 85% less than the normal of 101.8 mm and the ninth lowest since 1901.Lack of rain and snow resulted in a gradual rise in temperatures, which many feel are unusually high, especially in the middle and high hills, at this time of the year.The minimum and maximum temperatures in most parts of the state were above normal for the last few weeks. On Monday, Shimla recorded a minimum of 9.4ºC, 3.3º above normal; Dharamshala 10.2ºC, 1.2º above normal; Manali 2.6ºC, 0.8º above normal; and Una 10.6ºC, 3.3 ºC above normal.Dalhousie recorded a minimum of 10ºC, which was 6.2º above normal.Una recorded the highest maximum temperature of 31ºC on Monday, which was 4.9º above normal. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded a maximum of 17.7ºC, which was 8.5º above normal; Dharamshala touched 24.1ºC, 3.5º above normal; Kangra 28ºC, 6.1ºC above normal; and Bhuntar registered a maximum of 26.3ºC, 5.4º above normal.A weather report, released by the meteorological department on Monday, also predicted a high probability of mean minimum and maximum temperatures remaining above normal over most parts of Himachal Pradesh during March to May this year.The report stated that there was also a low to moderate probability that many parts of the state were likely to receive below-normal rainfall, and parts of Shimla, Kinnaur and Sirmaur districts were likely to get normal rainfall from March to May.Meanwhile, the meteorological department predicted the possibility of light rain and snow in isolated parts of the high hills of the state on March 7 and 8.Holi celebrated in parts of HP (Box)Holi was celebrated a day earlier in parts of Himachal Pradesh on Monday due to the lunar eclipse on Tuesday. In Mandi, a big Holi event was held in the main town as thousands of people got together to celebrate the festival.The leader of opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur also participated in the Holi celebrations in Mandi. Holi was also celebrated in parts of Kullu, including the main town, on Monday.It may be mentioned that Holi is usually celebrated in some parts of Himachal Pradesh a day before other parts of the state and the country.MSID:: 128947388 413 |