White Christmas eludes Shimla, other towns of Himachal, now forecast for snow on New Year’s Eve
The Newz Radar
SHIMLA: Despite a forecast for snow on December 22 and 23 (2023), a white Christmas eluded capital Shimla and other tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh on Christmas, disappointing both locals and tourists who had hoped to experience the charm of a snowy holiday season.
The absence of snow, however, did not dampen the festive spirit as Shimla and other tourist towns, including Manali, Dharamshala and Dalhousie, witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals, providing the much-needed relief to the tourism industry that has been grappling with the aftermath of the recent monsoon rain disaster earlier this year. The devastation had led to a decline in tourist footfall, with almost all hotels, home-stays and related businesses facing economic hardships.
“The absence of snowfall disappointed holidaymakers who had flocked to the popular hill station Shimla in droves. Tourists, undeterred by the lack of snow, explored alternative activities such as trekking, shopping and enjoying the local cuisine,” said Nidhi Arora, a tourist from Jalandhar.
The increased demand for accommodation, dining and recreational activities provided a welcome boost to the local economy. “Hoteliers reported full bookings and restaurants experienced a significant uptick in customers, leading to a positive outlook for the tourism industry in the coming months,” said Anil Chandel, the owner of Hotel Rocky Knob near Navbahar in Shimla’s Sanjauli.
Shimla, known for its snow-covered landscapes during winter, has been facing an unusual rise in temperature this year with both minimum and maximum temperatures settling two to four degrees above normal. The weather, however, is likely to experience change towards the month-end. With a fresh western disturbance getting active from December 29, the weather department has forecast snowfall in the middle and higher reaches of the state on December 30 and 31. Thus, the tourists who missed snow on Christmas can expect a white blanket in Shimla and other parts of the state on New Year.
