Shimla, April 9 The high-altitude areas of Lahaul and Spiti and Shimla districts received fresh snowfall, while moderate to heavy rains occurred across the state, the local Meteorological station said on Thursday.
The state capital, Shimla, and its surrounding areas experienced a severe hailstorm. Cold weather conditions returned to the state, with minimum temperatures remaining two to seven degrees below normal, and maximum temperatures dropping 9 to 14 degrees below normal at most locations over the past 24 hours.
The threat of landslides is a major concern after the rains and snowfall. A building under construction near Jawahar Navodaya School, Bandrol, in Kullu district, was severely damaged in a massive landslide, while some other houses and a hotel in the vicinity were endangered and evacuated, officials said.
Khadrala in Shimla district and Gondla and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti received 5 cm, 2 cm, and 1 cm of fresh snow, respectively. Brahmani received 53.6 mm of rain, followed by Olinda (40 mm), Jot (38.2 mm), Shri Nainadevi (34.2 mm), Gohar (29 mm), Raipur Maidan (27.6 mm), Nichar (26.4 mm), Nalagarh and Jogindernagar (25 mm), Dharamshala (22.5 mm), Rohru (22 mm), Amb (19.6 mm), Manali (17 mm), and Shimla (14 mm).
Most areas of the state experienced a brief respite from the inclement weather, with bright sunshine greeting residents. However, by the afternoon, the sky became overcast, bringing light showers to some locations.
Many people are flocking to the Atal Tunnel in the suburbs of Manali to enjoy the snow, but slippery road conditions pose risks for commuters, with only 4X4 vehicles allowed beyond Solang Nallah.
Keylong reported the coldest temperature in the state at minus 0.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Kukumseri at minus 0.3 degrees, Tabo at 0.3 degrees, Shimla at 3.6 degrees, and Manali at 4.9 degrees Celsius.
The MeT station has predicted light rains and snow at isolated places in the state from April 10 to 12, and has also cautioned that a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from April 15.
Additionally, a gradual rise of two to nine degrees in minimum temperatures is anticipated over the next 4 to 5 days, with a 3 to 8 per cent increase in maximum temperatures within the next 24 hours.