SHIMLA: The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received light to moderate snowfall, while the mid and low hills were lashed with rain as the long dry spell came to an end in the state on Wednesday.
It snowed in almost the entire Lahaul Spiti district and parts of Kinnaur, Kullu, Chamba, and Shimla districts.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, Manali received 7.4 cm of snow, Kothi near Manali 33 cm, Gondhla 11 cm, Keylong 9 cm, Kukumseri 8.3 cm, Bharmour 8 cm, Kalpa 5.1 cm, and Shillaroo and Khadrala in Shimla district 5 cm each.
It also snowed in the Atal Tunnel area, Narkanda in Shimla, and high mountain passes, including Rohtang Pass and Jalori Jot.

Lahaul Spiti police issued an advisory cautioning against unnecessary travel, even as a number of roads remained blocked in the district. Some of the roads that remained closed in the district included Darcha to Shinkula, Koksar to Manali, and Koksar to Losar.
The mid and low hills of the state received light to moderate rainfall, ending the long dry spell as farmers heaved a sigh of relief. According to the weather department, Himachal Pradesh recorded a total of 12.6 mm rainfall, which was 384% more than the normal rainfall of 2.6 mm.
Chamba received the highest rainfall of 30.4 mm, followed by Kullu with 24.2 mm rain, Mandi 17.4 mm, Kangra 9.6 mm, Lahaul Spiti 9.4 mm, Solan 8.8 mm, Shimla 7.4 mm, Kinnaur 6.5 mm, Una 5.4 mm, Hamirpur 4.2 mm, Bilaspur 4 mm, and Sirmaur 0.1 mm.
It was after over a month that the state received good rainfall. In Jan, Himachal recorded a deficient rainfall of -81%. Even in Oct and Nov last year, the state received almost 0% rainfall, but in Dec it rained 27% above normal.
According to horticulture experts, the rains are timely for crops, especially wheat, which is presently in the crucial tillering stage.
Meanwhile, Tabo recorded the lowest minimum temperature of -4.3ºC on Wednesday. Among the tourist destinations, Manali recorded a minimum of 0.3ºC, Shimla 3.3ºC, Dharamshala 4.8ºC, Dalhousie 0.4ºC, and Kasauli 4.9ºC.
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