MANALI: A widespread snowfall has rejuvenated the tourism industry of the state which was witnessing a slump due to dry weather conditions. Thousands of tourists have made a beeline to Manali these days. Solang, Kothi, Gulaba, Rohtang, Marhi, Hamta and most tourist destinations here have received heavy snow in recent times which will prove beneficial for tourism in coming days. Tourists visiting Manali will get to see snow till summer months. The snowfall, however, was nominal in lower areas but has worked as a savior for tourism, agriculture, horticulture and drinking water schemes. The higher regions have enough snow in store. According to hoteliers, less than 20 per cent of their rooms were occupied before snowfall but now they are receiving large number of enquiries from tourists who want to see snow. Hundreds of tourists are thronging Nehru Kund and Solang to enjoy the fresh snow. Manali Hoteliers Association president Anup Ram Thakur said the weather has turned pleasant after snowfall and tourist inflow is expected to increase in the town. “Good enquiries are pouring in. Hoteliers are happy. Hopefully we will have good crowd till March. We have enough snow at Solang, Gulaba, Hamta and nearby areas where tourists can enjoy till beginning of summer tourist season," he said. Anup Thakur added that snowfall continues till March end and they have a whole winter season in hand. He added that hoteliers are praying for heavy snowfall in coming days so that enough snow is stocked. "We expect good snowfall till mid March. If we get good snow on hills, including Rohtang pass, only then it will last till June and July. Lakhs of tourists visit Himachal only to see snow at Rohtang pass in summers. If February and March pass without snowfall, it will be real matter of concern. But
MANALI: A widespread snowfall has rejuvenated the tourism industry of the state which was witnessing a slump due to dry weather conditions. Thousands of tourists have made a beeline to Manali these days. Solang, Kothi, Gulaba, Rohtang, Marhi, Hamta and most tourist destinations here have received heavy snow in recent times which will prove beneficial for
MANALI: Cold waves are likely to break records of last many years in Himachal as even rivers and lakes have started to freeze at many parts of the state under intense cold conditions. If you want to experience the winters of Himachal, this is the right time to visit. Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul, which gives birth to Chenab river, have frozen under extreme cold conditions. A layer of ice has covered most of the surface of the Chandra river and edges of Chenab too have covered with ice. Miyar river, tributary of Chenab too has started to freeze. The waterfalls in Lahaul and upper areas of Manali, Kinnaur and Chamba have turned hanging icicles. High altitude lakes including Chandertal, Surajtal, Deepak Tal, Rani Sui, Dashaur and Bhrigu had frozen in November. Unfortunately, most of these places including Lahaul valley have become inaccessible for tourists in winters. Now that temperature is dipping fast, water sources in lower areas are freezing where tourists can experience the winter season. Keylong, district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district, recorded minimum temperature of minus 11.1 degrees C on Wednesday, the lowest in the state. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature of minus 4 degrees C. Manali too recorded the lowest temperature of the season at minus 3.4 degrees C. Night temperature of Shimla settled at 2.7 degrees C. Both minimum and maximum temperatures in state are 1 to 3 degrees below normal temperature during this time of the season. “Waterfalls in Lahaul have frozen. Edges of Chandra-Bhaga rivers are covered with ice. Waters of Chenab is carrying ice with it. The cold is biting residents. Even the sun has no warmth. January and February will surely bring record cold this season,” a resident Sudarshan said. Temperature in some parts of Spiti valley is expected to
MANALI: Cold waves are likely to break records of last many years in Himachal as even rivers and lakes have started to freeze at many parts of the state under intense cold conditions. If you want to experience the winters of Himachal, this is the right time to visit. Chandra and Bhaga rivers of Lahaul,
SHIMLA: Both minimum and maximum temperatures across the state dipped by 1 to 2 degrees as high hills of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti received light snowfall. More snow is forecast from Saturday by local meteorological department. Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest in the state at -7.1 degrees Celsius where maximum temperature in last 24 hours was only 6.7 degrees Celsius. Kalpa in Kinnuar recorded minimum temperature of -5 degrees Celsius, followed by Manali (-2.6), Dalhousie at (1.2), Shimla (2.1) and Dharamshala (6.6). Night temperature in areas above 12,000 feet has plunged below -15 degrees Celsius. According to Shimla meteorological office, a fresh wave of western disturbance will be active in the state from Saturday which will bring snowfall on high hills and rain in mid and low hills. “Day and night temperatures in Himachal have decreased by 1 to 2 degrees Celsius in last 24 hours,” met director Manmohan Singh said. Manali had a coldest night of the season at -2.6 degrees Celsius where maximum day temperature was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius. The fresh overnight snowfall on Rohtang pass has thrilled the tourists who thronged here Friday morning.
SHIMLA: Both minimum and maximum temperatures across the state dipped by 1 to 2 degrees as high hills of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti received light snowfall. More snow is forecast from Saturday by local meteorological department. Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district was the coldest in the state at -7.1 degrees Celsius where maximum temperature in last 24
