Tourists in Himachal Pradesh had a pleasant surprise with unexpected snowfall.
The higher regions of Himachal Pradesh witnessed heavy snowfall this week. So much so that the Atal Tunnel across the Rohtang Pass was closed off to avoid heavy traffic.
Kullu, Shimla, Mandi and Chamba are among the districts that experienced heavy rainfall, snowfall and freezing temperatures.
The administrative headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti district experienced snowfall that reached upto 4cm. A small town in Kinnaur district, Kalpa, also received 5cm of snow, along with Keylong. The state's middle and lower hills received rain on a large scale and high-velocity winds as a result of some new western disturbances in the region.
Tourists and locals were caught unawares as temperatures dropped to 9.8, and at some places, to even 3.3 degree Celsius. Keylong recorded a bone chilling temperature of 0 degree Celsius. At a higher altitude, Dharamshala had rainfall of 10.66mm, Nahan was next in line with 10.1mm, and Bhunter received a rainfall of 9.8mm.
Manmohan Singh, Director of Meteorological Department, Shimla, stated that weather will continue like this in the middle and higher hills till mid-week. In low-lying areas, the skies might clear up by Thursday.