TNR Desk
In the past 24 hours, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed substantial snowfall across various regions. The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert concerning heavy rain and snowfall across eight districts on Saturday (March 2, 2024).
Areas including Atal Tunnel at Rohtang in Kullu district, Keylong, Jispa, Darcha, Koksar and high areas of Lahaul-Spiti have experienced fresh snowfall ranging from 6 inches to 2.5 feet.
Following the Meteorological Department’s warning, the Kullu SDM has ordered the closure of all schools and colleges in Kullu sub-division. Additionally, some private school managements in Shimla have declared holidays via morning messages.
Overnight, high peaks in Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti received fresh snowfall while rainfall occurred in many areas, including Bilaspur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi. Shimla has been experiencing intermittent rainfall since morning.
The Meteorological Department has extended a warning of heavy rain and snowfall to parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, Una, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla. During this period, lower and middle altitude areas may experience rain, hailstorms and storms. Rain and snowfall are expected to persist in the state on Sunday as a yellow alert has been issued. However, March 4 and 5 may offer some respite from precipitation as the western disturbance weakens slightly.
The higher areas may still experience rain and snowfall during these days. The western disturbance is expected to regain activity on March 6, bringing renewed rain and snowfall to the mountains. In light of the Meteorological Department’s alert, residents and tourists have been cautioned against travelling to high-altitude areas, particularly in Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, due to avalanche threats.
Himachal weather update: Higher reaches get up to 2.5 feet snow amid red alert, schools closed in Kullu, avalanche advisory issued for tourists
