June Turns to January: Himachal Shivers Under Unseasonal Snow and Rain
In a surprising twist to the summer season, Himachal Pradesh has been gripped by an unexpected cold wave, with snow, rain, and hail sweeping across the state. On Wednesday, high-altitude regions like Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, and Shimla’s Chanshal area woke up to fresh snowfall, while hailstorms pelted Shimla and rain drenched five districts.
The sudden weather shift caught many off guard. In Chamba, 70 tourists were stranded overnight at Sache Jot due to heavy snow. Thankfully, rescue teams acted swiftly, relocating them safely to Pangi. While the Dodra Kwar road has been cleared, access to Sache Jot remains blocked.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has predicted more rain and thunderstorms on Thursday, with clearer skies expected from Friday. But for now, the chill is unmistakable. In Koksar valley, temperatures dipped below freezing, and across the state, daytime temperatures have fallen nearly five degrees below normal. Locals in Lahaul, Pangi, and Kinnaur say it feels more like December than June, with many pulling out woollens they had already packed away for the season.
Snow continues to blanket Rohtang’s peaks, while lower areas in Lahaul and Kullu are soaked in rain. In Dharamshala, cold winds and showers disrupted daily life, and even Una, which stayed mostly dry, saw a light drizzle by evening.
Rainfall data from June 1 to 4 shows Himachal received 103% more rain than usual — 14 mm compared to the average 6.9 mm. But the impact has varied. While districts like Kangra, Lahaul-Spiti, and Una saw below-average rainfall, others like Bilaspur (393% above normal), Sirmaur (361%), and Shimla (280%) were drenched far beyond expectations.
The weather has also taken a toll on agriculture. In Chamba, apple orchards suffered damage from Tuesday night’s storm, leaving fruit growers anxious about the upcoming harvest.
Locals and meteorologists alike say they haven’t seen such a cold spell in June for decades. As Himachal braces for more rain, residents are left wondering — is this just a freak event, or a sign of more unpredictable weather to come?
