A fresh spell of snowfall has tightened winter's grip over Himachal Pradesh, with severe cold wave conditions, dense fog, and ground frost affecting large parts of the state over the last 24 hours. The trans-Himalayan and high-altitude regions are bearing the brunt of this intense chill, disrupting life and travel.
Fresh Snowfall and Plummeting Temperatures
According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, the higher reaches received fresh snowfall. Khoksar in the Lahaul-Spiti district recorded about 2 cm of new snow. Mild snowfall was also reported in Kalpa and Gondla, with light to very light snow occurring in several other high hill areas. While the snowfall was light, it was enough to intensify the cold and disrupt movement on sensitive routes.
Minimum temperatures have dropped sharply, especially in the trans-Himalayan region. The tribal town of Tabo shivered at a bone-chilling minus 10.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest place in the state. Several weather stations across Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and upper Chamba continued to record sub-zero temperatures, indicating prolonged severe cold. Kukumseri and Khoksar in Lahaul-Spiti saw night temperatures ranging between minus 9 and minus 10 degrees Celsius.
Cold Wave Extends to Mid and Lower Hills
The intense cold was not confined to the high mountains. Mid-hill zones also experienced freezing conditions. The state capital, Shimla, recorded a low of 2.6 degrees Celsius. The popular tourist destination Manali registered a minimum temperature of 1.8 degrees Celsius, with Kufri and Narkanda dipping to minus two degrees. Chamba district's night temperature settled at 0.8 degree Celsius.
In the lower hills and plains, including Dharamshala, Kangra, and Una, minimum temperatures ranged from 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. However, dense fog and high moisture levels made the conditions feel much worse than what the thermometers indicated. Across the state, wind chill and widespread frost dominated the weather, making nights particularly harsh even in otherwise milder areas.
Travel Advisory and Safety Precautions
In response to the sustained severe weather, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Lahaul-Spiti has issued a special travel advisory for commuters and tourists. Authorities are urging people to exercise extreme caution. Travellers are advised to avoid journeys during night and early morning hours unless absolutely necessary. The advisory also stresses following instructions from local authorities in snow-bound and frost-prone areas as winter maintains its severity across Himachal Pradesh.
While intermittent sunshine provided some respite to daytime maximum temperatures in many places, the piercing chill from icy winds and overnight frost ensured that the cold wave's impact remained severe. The current weather pattern shows no immediate signs of significant relief for the residents of the hill state.
