Dry spell end in Himachal, more rain and snow expected

Delayed rain or snowfall ended prolonged dry spell in Himachal Pradesh in past 24 hrs as it was mainly cloudy and inclement weather on Monday and Tuesday. Indian Meteorological Department said that at height of 13000 ft Kadhrala 22 cm Snowfall was recorded. Tourist resort Kufri had two cm snow and Narkanda 2.5 cm, Sangla one cm. There are reports of moderate spell of snowfall on high reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu and Shimla district in past 24 hrs. Report of heavy rainfall is from Sirmaur district as Pachhad had 94 mm rain,  Sangraha-55 mm Renuka-54 mm, Jatton Barrage-53 mm Rajgarh-50 mm, Solan-61 mm, Dharmshala-49 mm, Saloni(Chamba) 45 mm, Sarahan in Shimla, 42 mm, Karsog in Mandi -41mm, Kotkhai(Shimla) 38 mm, Kufri & Rohru-37 mm each, Kandaghat(Solan) 36 mm, Mashobra(Shimla) 35 mm, Rampur-32 mm Shimla-31 mm mm, Arki-30, Chaupal-29, Kumarsain-28 mm, Wangto (Kinnaur) & Jubbal hatti-23 mm each  Sundernagar in Mandi 22 mm, Gohar in Mandi 21 mm,Janjheli, & Bijahi -20 mm each. Minimum temperature went down four to five degree below normal as it was 4.2 Celsius at Shimla, Bhuntar Airport & Una 10 eachKalpa 0.6, Dharamshala 7.4,Nahan 10.3, Keylong  minus 1.2, Solan 7.8, Manali 5.8,Kangra 10.6, Mandi 11,  Bilaspur 13, Hamirpur 11.4, Chamba 8.9 Dalhousie 5, Jubberhatti airport 7, Kufri 1.2 and Narakanda  minus 0.2 degrees. Met office also forecast more rain or snowfall after March 23 in the state for next five days however ongoing precipitations likely to decrease towards evening today for 

subsequent 36-48 hrs. Another active western disturbance is approaching in western  Himalayan region on 23rd March 2023. Under the influence of approaching western disturbance light to moderate precipitation  associated with thunderstorm, lighting, hailstorm likely to commence in HP from late  23rd March 2023 which increases in intensity and spread with peak intensity 24th March 2023 and decrease around 25th March 2023. Light to moderate rainfall or snowfall  activity also likely to occur in higher reaches of the districts Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti,  Kinnaur, Kangra, Shimla and Kullu during this period. The average minimum temperatures will be normal for the next 24 to 48 hrs; thereafter  from 24th March onwards it will fall by 2-3 degrees in the State. There will be rise in average maximum temperatures by 2-3 degrees in next 24 to 48  hrs the State, thereafter from 24 th March onwards average maximum temperatures will  fall by 3-4 degrees.

Warning of inclement weather from March 23 Met office said that in view of expected snowfall there could be disruption of traffic and other essential services in district. Occasional disruption of power and communication facilities in low and mid hill district of state in view of expected thunderstorm or lighting. Avoid going in open areas in view of expected thunderstorms.

Follow the advisories and guidelines issued by the concerned departments and  Use of anti hail nets over the crops.