The unexpected snowfall in Manali that started despite high temperature on Monday evening thrilled tourists here but fruit growers are worried a lot as snow may have destroyed plum, apricot and peach crops at some places. Manali recorded minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees C in last 4 hours. The maximum day temperature was recorded at 16.4 degrees C. There was no possibility of snowfall at such high temperature. Despite this the town and nearby places are experiencing snowfall. Lower areas including Kullu and Bhuntar towns are witnessing thundershowers. Till late evening, Manali town had received 10cm of fresh snow. Solang valley received over 15cm of snow. High mountain peaks including Rohtang pass too are receiving heavy snow since afternoon. Snowfall in Manali always brings cheer to hoteliers but it also brings some problems like landslides and cold. Tourists in Manali started shouting and blowing whistles out of excitement. These days tourists are heading to Solang valley to see snow. Nobody had expected snowfall and were expecting gradual rise in temperature in coming days. The residents here are annoyed after many spells of snowfall and rain and are praying for sunny days. However, hoteliers consider it beneficial for their business. Meanwhile, fruit growers are worried because snowfall on flowers can destroy fruit crops. The stone fruits including plum orchards in many areas are in bloom. Deposit of snow on flowers and sudden drop in temperature can destroy the crops. Snowfall in Manali is normal till March end but it totally depends on temperature and atmospheric pressure. The fresh western disturbance that created cyclonic conditions above Himachal brought snowfall in Manali on Monday.
The unexpected snowfall in Manali that started despite high temperature on Monday evening thrilled tourists here but fruit growers are worried a lot as snow may have destroyed plum, apricot and peach crops at some places. Manali recorded minimum temperature of 3.6 degrees C in last 4 hours. The maximum day temperature was recorded at
MANALI: The peaks of Himachal, most parts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts, Dalhousie and Manali have worn fresh mantle of snow while many lower parts of the state received moderate rain on Saturday. The weatherman has predicted more snowfall in next 24 hours. Keylong, district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, received 30cm of snow. Gondla and Koksar recorded 11cm and 20cm snowfall respectively. Dalhousie in Chamba district received 15cm and Kalpa and Pooh in Kinnaur district received 4cm and 8cm of snow respectively. Manali received 10cm and Solang received over 30cm of snow. Rohtang pass, which is inaccessible in winter months, has received more than 60cm of snow in last 48 hours. The snow is wet and accumulation rate is very low due to absence of extreme cold. Most places received rain coupled with snowflakes. While it was snowing on the peaks since night, people in Manali were surprised to see only rain till 10am. The average minimum temperature of state has increased by 3 to 4 degrees C in last 24 hours. The minimum temperature in Manali was recorded at 1 degree C. Despite weather alert and warnings, there was no rain or snowfall in Shimla where minimum temperature plunged only to 3.7 degrees C. Clouds were hovering over the hill queen and residents kept waiting or snowfall but only to be disappointed. At minus 7 degrees C, Keylong was the coldest place in Himachal. Entire Lahaul valley is receiving heavy snowfall and vehicular traffic in district has come to the standstill. Many parts of Lahaul valley have no internet connectivity. Snowfall has blocked many roads in Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts. A large numbers of tourists who had come to see snowfall were delighted in Manali and Dalhousie but were disappointed in Shimla. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Raman Gharsangi said
MANALI: The peaks of Himachal, most parts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts, Dalhousie and Manali have worn fresh mantle of snow while many lower parts of the state received moderate rain on Saturday. The weatherman has predicted more snowfall in next 24 hours. Keylong, district headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti, received 30cm of snow. Gondla and Koksar
