Shimla, April 8 Several high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh experienced fresh snowfall on Wednesday, while moderate to heavy rains lashed the mid and lower hills, bringing temperatures down and compelling residents to wear woolen clothes in April, officials said.
The local MeT department issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching 40-50 kmph in parts of Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Shimla districts.
The wet spell is likely to continue until April 12, as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayas from April 11, the officials said.
Fresh snow blanketed the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang Pass, Hamta Pass, Lahaul and Spiti, and Kufri, while the Shikari Mata temple in Mandi district, located at an altitude of 11,000 ft, witnessed intermittent snowfall, which is unusual in April.
Gondla and Kufri recorded 4 cm and 1.4 cm of snowfall, respectively, with Rohtang Pass and Shikari Mata temple covered in a white carpet.
In view of the snowfall, movement beyond the Solang Barrier has been restricted, with only 4x4 vehicles allowed, SDM Manali Gunjit Singh Cheema said, urging caution and advising travel only if necessary. A landslide blocked the road to Chaminaya Hospital in Shimla, forcing patients to walk.
Orchardists and farmers expressed concern over the potential damage to apple and stone fruit crops, as well as standing wheat ready for harvest.
Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said damage to stone fruit and apple crops is being assessed, and urged orchardists to insure their crops under the Fasal Bima Yojna.
Further, moderate to heavy rainfall was recorded across the state, with Sangrah receiving 65 mm, Rajgarh 60 mm, Chauri 52.6 mm and Berthin 50.6 mm.
Tourist resorts Kasauli, Dharamshala, Shimla, Kufri and Manali received 43 mm, 35.2 mm, 33.7 mm, 30.4 mm and 24 mm of rain, respectively.
Minimum temperatures dropped by a few notches, with Tabo recording the lowest in the state at 0.1 degrees, followed by Kukumseri at 0.6 degrees Celsius and Kalpa at 3 degrees Celsius.
Maximum temperatures also fell significantly, with Una recording the highest at 22.4 degrees Celsius.