Alert: Thunderstorms, snowfall expected in Himachal Pradesh
TNR Desk
Shimla: After clear and dry weather across the state, Himachal Pradesh is set to experience a significant change in weather patterns starting Thursday (Apr 18).
The western disturbance is expected to become active, bringing thunderstorms, lightning, and dusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 km per hour, accompanied by hailstorms, rain, and snowfall in various locations on April 18 and 19. A yellow alert will remain in effect on April 20 and 21. The state is likely to experience inclement weather conditions until April 23.
Over the past 24 hours, light rainfall has been recorded in different parts of the state, with 4.5 mm in Narkanda, 3.8 mm in Mandi, 3.7 mm in Kalpa, 3.4 mm in Sangla, and 3-3 mm in Kelang and Reckong Peo. Kufri received 1.5 mm, Sundernagar recorded 0.6 mm, and Mashobra and Bajaura received 0.5 mm of rainfall.
On Wednesday, the maximum temperature in Una reached 33.4 degrees Celsius, while Shimla recorded 24.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was 0.3 degrees Celsius in Kelang and 10.4 degrees Celsius in Shimla.
Challenges persist only in the Lahaul-Spiti district, where two national highways and 104 roads out of 109 are closed due to adverse weather conditions. The restoration of vehicular movement on the Manali-Leh highway is expected by Saturday evening, following disruptions caused by snowfall last Saturday, which also led to avalanches in the region. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is actively involved in road clearance efforts.
While some vehicles managed to reach the Baralacha Pass on Wednesday, the road remained closed, forcing them to return to Kelang. On the other hand, the BRO aims to reopen the Manali-Leh National Highway by April 25. Although the BRO has connected Leh to Manali despite the challenges of Zanskar and Kargil, only small vehicles are advised to travel on this route.
