Shimla, Mar 16 (UNI) Thunderstorms, hail and rain lashed Shimla and several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, while higher reaches of Kullu and Lahaul–Spiti received fresh snowfall, bringing winter-like conditions back to the hill state and attracting a large number of tourists to popular resorts.
According to weather data, Bhuntar recorded 12 mm of rainfall, followed by Mandi and Manali with 8 mm each. Kufri received 7 mm, Solan 6.4 mm and Shimla 6 mm. Sundernagar recorded 5 mm of rain, Dharamshala 3 mm and Kangra 2 mm. Kalpa and Neri received 1.8 mm each, while Jubberhatti recorded 1 mm of rainfall.
Dark convective clouds covered the sky throughout the day, reducing visibility in several areas. The upper hills around Manali, including the Atal Tunnel area, witnessed light snowfall.
More than 950 vehicles were stranded near the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, late in the evening after snowfall disrupted traffic in the higher reaches of Manali, officials said. A police team from Manali rushed to the spot and started rescue operations, guiding stranded vehicles towards Manali.
Police also requested the Border Roads Organisation and other rescue agencies to deploy teams to prevent vehicles from skidding by spreading mud and urea on the road. Authorities appealed to stranded tourists to remain patient as rescue operations continued.
Videos of tourists enjoying fresh snow near the tunnel circulated widely on social media. Tourism stakeholders said the snowfall has brought cheer to the tourism industry, as many visitors from the plains are heading to the hill resorts to enjoy the return of winter.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) office in Shimla issued an orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in Shimla, Kullu and Mandi districts on Sunday.
The weather office has predicted light rain and snowfall in the state till March 21. An orange alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour has also been issued for Kullu and Shimla on March 19. Hail warnings have been issued for Solan and Sirmaur districts.
A yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds has also been issued for ten districts of the state, except Kinnaur and Lahaul–Spiti, on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Meanwhile, a heat wave was reported in Nahan during the past 24 hours. The town recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2 degrees on Saturday and remained the hottest place in the state on Sunday with 28.7 degrees.
In contrast, Tabo was the coldest during the night with a minimum temperature of 1.4 degrees. The Meteorological Department said a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from the night of March 17.
