Fresh snowfall and rain revive hopes of farmers in Himachal

KULLU: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall, while mid and low hills of the state received light to moderate rain on Thursday, breaking a prolonged dry spell and reviving farmers' hopes of a better crop this year.

Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and the higher reaches of Kullu, Shimla, Chamba, Kangra and Sirmaur districts received moderate to heavy snowfall. It also snowed in some tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh, including Sissu, Atal tunnel, Solang valley near Manali, Kufri, and Narkanda. Snowfall was also reported in Keylong, Gondhla, Tandi, Koksar, Kaza in Lahaul-Spiti, Kalpa and Sangla in Kinnaur, and the higher reaches of Mandi district, including Shikari Devi mountains.

High mountain passes, including Rohtang Pass and Jalori Jot, also received fresh snowfall. As the snowfall started, tourists began flocking to Solang valley, resulting in minor traffic jams on the Manali-Atal tunnel road. Given the heavy snowfall prediction, Kullu police did not allow any vehicles beyond Solang.

Lahaul-Spiti police also issued an advisory, warning against unnecessary travel due to heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions throughout the district. Snowfall continued in many areas of the higher reaches until Thursday evening.

Most areas in the low and mid hills received fresh rains after a hiatus. It rained in parts of Mandi, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, Kangra, and Solan districts. According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, there was 8mm rain in Una, 7.2mm in Kangra, 6.7mm in Kangra, 6.2mm in Hamirpur, 5.2mm in Kullu, 5.1mm in Bilaspur, and 4.2mm in Chamba. Many places, including Chailchowk in Mandi and Bilaspur, also experienced hailstorms.

According to experts, rainfall may help revive the Rabi crops, especially the wheat in low-lying areas of the state, including Una, Bilaspur, Kangra, and Hamirpur. Experts said rains will rejuvenate the soil by adding moisture and they are also good for fruit crops, including apples.

Himachal has been receiving mostly deficient rainfall since June last year. Barring Dec, the state has recorded less than the normal rain every month since June.

The weather department has predicted light snowfall and rain in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur, and in the higher reaches of Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu districts, on Feb 21 and 22 as well.

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