Snowfall in Himachal's tourist places, Meteorological Department issued yellow alert for storm:Snowfall in Himachal's tourist places, Meteorological Department issued yellow alert for storm

Shimla: Fresh snowfall was recorded in the high altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh even as the weather department on Wednesday issued a 'yellow' alert, predicting thunderstorms and lightning in some districts. Snowfall occurred at some places in Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba districts. According to the weather department, famous tourist places Narkanda and Kufri in Shimla district, Dalhousie in Chamba and Manali and adjoining areas in Kullu district received snowfall.

Tourist inflow expected to increase

Snowfall was also reported from Seraj, Parashar, Shikari and Kamrunag in Mandi district. The snowfall has raised hopes of increased tourist inflow for hoteliers. It also brought relief to orchardists who were worried about the drought situation in the state for a long time. Snow is considered beneficial for apple cultivation. However, the snowfall was insufficient to completely prevent the drought.

33 cm of snow fell in Kothi

According to the weather department, Kothi received 33 cm of snow, Gondla 11 cm, Keylong 9 cm, Kukumseri 8.3 cm, Bharmour 8 cm, Manali 7.4 cm, Jot 6 cm, Kalpa 5.1 cm and Shillaru and Khadrala 5 cm of snow. Shimla city received hailstorm while nearby Jubbarhatti and Kufri received 8.3 cm and 4 cm of snow respectively. Saloni recorded the highest rainfall of 44.3 mm in the state. It was followed by Kasol 30 mm, Karsog 24.3 mm, Bhuntar 21.4 mm, Jogindernagar 19 mm, Banjar 18.2 mm, Shimla 16.2 mm and Gohar 16 mm.

Light fog in Bilaspur and Mandi

Shimla, Jubbarhatti, Kangra, Jot, Bhuntar, Palampur and Sundernagar witnessed rain and thundershowers. Light fog was recorded in Bilaspur and Mandi. Due to fresh snowfall, roads have become slippery at many places and the Lahaul and Spiti Police has advised travellers to avoid unnecessary travel. The Meteorological Department on Wednesday issued a 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms and lightning in parts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra and Solan. Apart from this, the department warned of dense fog in parts of Una, Bilaspur and Mandi on Thursday and Friday. Tabo, located in the tribal area of Lahaul and Spiti, remained the coldest place in the state, where the minimum temperature was recorded at 4.3 degrees Celsius below zero.