Snowfall, rainfall likely in Himachal Pradesh; meteorological department issues orange alert for coldwave

The local meteorological office forecasted snow and rain in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh on December 23 and 24, with more widespread precipitation expected on December 27.

An orange warning for severe cold wave has been issued for parts of Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Mandi until December 24, while a yellow warning for cold wave and ground frost has been issued for Chamba, Kangra, and Kullu until December 25.

Dense fog is expected in areas around the Bhakra Dam (Bilaspur) and Balh Valley (Mandi) during the early morning and late night hours. The weather remained dry, but severe cold wave conditions persisted in Una, Mandi, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Sundernagar. 

Cold wave conditions were also reported in Kangra and Bilaspur, with moderate fog observed in Mandi and Bilaspur. Ground frost was recorded in Palampur, Bhuntar, Kangra, Shimla, and Jubbarhatti.

Tabo in the tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest at night, with temperatures dropping to minus 14 degrees Celsius. Other areas like Kukumseri, Samdho, Kalpa, and Manali recorded lows of minus 7.8 degrees Celsius, minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, minus 3 degrees Celsius, and minus 1 degree Celsius, respectively. During the day, Una was the hottest, recording a high of 24.5 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the state’s post-monsoon rainfall deficit stood at 97% as of December 21, with only 2.3 mm of rain recorded against an average of 66.3 mm.