Snowfall In Himachal's Lahaul & Spiti Regions Disrupts Vehicular Traffic, 11 Roads Closed

On Friday, the MeT office here issued a 'orange' signal for heavy rain, lightning, thunderstorms, and hailstorms in isolated locations in the mid and low hills.

Representational Image.

Authorities in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti region reported light snowfall on Friday as light to moderate rain hammered many areas of the state, barring 11 roads to vehicular traffic, news agency PTI reported.

On Friday, the MeT office here issued a 'orange' signal for heavy rain, lightning, thunderstorms, and hailstorms in isolated locations in the mid and low hills.

It also urged avoiding causing harm to standing crops and recommending the use of anti-hail nets or the installation of anti-hail guns to safeguard the apple harvest.

The MeT office issued a 'yellow' advisory for thunderstorms and lightning on April 1 and 3-4, as a new Western Disturbance is expected to impact Northwest India on the night of April 2.

It has also forecast light rain and snow in the upper peaks of Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, and Shimla districts during the next few hours, as well as mild to moderate rainfall in a few spots in the other districts.

Since Thursday night, Rajgarh has received the most rainfall in the state, with 26 mm, followed by Sangarh with 22 mm, Jhandutta with 20 mm, Chauri and Renuka with 16 mm, Nurpur with 15 mm, Kangra with 14 mm, Gharmoor with 13 mm, Chopal with 12.5 mm, and Dharampur with 11 mm.

Rainfall totaled 10 mm in Kheri, Dharamshala, Shimla, Poanta Sahib, and Dhaulakuan, 8.5 mm in Solan, 8 mm in Una and Dalhousie, 7.2 mm in Kufri, and 7 mm in Bilaspur, Nahan, and Berthin.

As many as 11 roadways, including two national highways – Gramphu to Losar (NH-505) and Darcha to Sarchu (NH-3) – have been restricted to vehicle traffic in the state, while 198 transformers have been affected.

The state's rain deficit was 44% from March 1 to March 30.

(With Inputs From PTI)