Shimla: The winter chill has intensified across Himachal Pradesh as minimum temperatures continue to plummet, especially in high-altitude regions.
In the Spiti valley, Tabo recorded a low of -9.4°C, marking the coldest night this season. Keylong and two other areas have also reported sub-zero temperatures, highlighting the arrival of severe winter conditions in the state’s mountainous areas.
In the plains, residents of Bilaspur and Sundernagar (Mandi) are facing a challenge with dense fog creating visibility issues. The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has issued a yellow alert for dense fog, warning residents to prepare for low visibility in the morning and evening until November 21.
Rain, snowfall expected from November 23-25
The Himachal weather is expected to take another turn as rain and snowfall are forecast in parts of Himachal Pradesh. Light rain and snowfall are anticipated in the high-altitude regions of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kangra and Kullu districts from November 23 to November 25, which could drive temperatures even lower.
Meanwhile, the rest of the state is likely to experience dry weather over the next week. A further drop of 2-3°C in minimum and maximum temperatures is expected in some areas over the next three days, though temperatures are expected to stabilise afterward.
Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 8°C, while Sundernagar was at 6.6°C. In the high mountains, Keylong registered -2.3°C, and Kukumseri saw -3.2°C. Other notable minimum temperatures include Bhuntar at 3.2°C, Kalpa at 0.4°C, and Dharamshala at 9°C. Una and Nahan also felt the chill, with lows of 5.8°C and 10.3°C, respectively. In the far north, Samdo recorded -1.3°C, and Tabo’s extreme low of -9.4°C stands out as the most severe.
Post-Monsoon season records 98% less rainfall
Adding to winter woes, the post-monsoon season from October 1 to November 19 has seen 98 per cent reduction in rainfall across Himachal Pradesh, creating a drought-like situation in several districts. Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kullu, Sirmaur and Solan saw no rain at all during this period, while Kangra, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Shimla, and Una recorded deficits ranging from 63 per cent to 99 per cent below normal levels.
This sharp decline in post-monsoon rain has left large swathes of the state exceptionally dry as winter approaches, heightening concerns about water availability in the coming months.
