Himachal weather update: Kufri, Narkanda draped in white as several parts of Shimla get over 2 feet of snow

TNR Desk

Fresh snowfall has blanketed several parts of upper Shimla, including Kufri and Narkanda, in Himachal Pradesh. The higher peaks of Shimla are draped in a layer of snow while middle and lower parts have been receiving intermittent rain for the past 24 hours. While rain persisted in Shimla throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning and afternoon, upper Shimla witnessed snowfall in various parts. Hatu peak adjacent to Narkanda and Chanshal valley in Rohru recorded approximately 2 feet of snowfall.
The temperature has plummeted significantly, resulting in a notable increase in cold weather. Farmers and gardeners across Himachal have found respite from the rain and snow. This snowfall is particularly beneficial for horticulture, providing relief to vegetable growers in lower areas affected by rain.
Tourist influx in Shimla has begun to surge, driven by the allure of snow. Hotel occupancy, previously at 15 to 20 per cent, has now risen to 40 per cent. According to the Meteorological Department, inclement weather has been forecast until March 7, with a possibility of light rain in the upcoming days. A yellow alert has been issued for heavy rain and snowfall on March 6 and 7.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has given the following 24-hour data of snowfall (in cm) in various parts of Himachal: Khadrala (Shimla district) 62, Sangla (Kinnaur) 52.5, Kalpa 49 (Kinnaur), Kukumsheri (Lahaul-Spiti) 45, Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti) 38, Narkanda (Shimla) 30, Chopal (Shimla) 15, Reckong Peo (Kinnaur) 15, Bharmaur (Chamba) 5, Shillaro (Shimla) 5 and Kufri (Shimla) 2.
Following is the rain data (in cm): Sangraha (Sirmaur) 9, Manali (Kullu) 9, Renuka/Dadahu (Sirmaur) 9, Nahan (Sirmaur) 8, Pachhad (Sirmaur) 8, Sarahan (Shimla) 7, Kangra 7, Rampur Bushahr (Shimla) 6, Rajgarh (Sirmaur) 6, Kheri (Chamba) 6, Rohru (Shimla) 6, Kotkhai (Shimla) 5, Dharamshala (Kangra) 5, Dalhousie (Chamba) 5, Choupal (Shimla) 5, Guler (Kangra) 5, Seo Bagh (Kullu) 5, Chamba 5, Paonta (Sirmaur) 5, Reckong Peo (Kinnaur) 4, Naina Davi (Bilaspur) 5, Nagrota Surian (Kangra) 5, Jogindernagar (Mandi) 5, Saloni (Chamba) 4, Nadaun (Hamirpur) 4, Bharmaur (Chamba) 4, Kandaghat (Solan) 4, Aghar (Hamirpur) 4, Shillaro (Shimla) 4, Sujanpur Tira (Hamirpur) 4, Sundernagar (Mandi) 4, Bhuntar (Kullu) 3, Una 3, Baijnath (Kangra) 3, Shimla 3, Bilaspur 3, Palampur (Kangra) 3, Chuari (Chamba) 3, Kufri (Shimla) 3, Ghamroor (Kangra) 3, Solan 3, Mandi 3, Kahu (Bilaspur) 3, Tinder (Kullu) 3, Banjar (Kullu) 3, Mehre (Barsar, Hamirpur) 3, Dehra Gopipur (Kangra) 3 and Berthin (Bilaspur) 3.