The hills of Himachal Pradesh experienced wintry conditions once again as fresh snowfall covered the high-altitude tribal areas, while moderate intermittent rains accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of the state.
Gondla and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district were covered in 5.5 cm and 3.2 cm of snow, respectively, while Bharmour in Chamba recorded the highest rainfall of 30 mm. Mandi’s Jogindernagar followed with 19 mm and Kullu’s Banjar with 18.2 mm. As a result of the snowfall and rain, minimum temperatures have sharply fallen, staying two to eight degrees below normal. Thunderstorms were reported in parts of Sundernagar, Shimla, Bhuntar, Kangra, Nahan, and Nurpur, with gusty winds sweeping Nurpur and Bilaspur. However, reports of damage to crops and fruits are pouring in from Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Una.
The local Met office issued a ‘yellow’ warning of thunderstorms and lightning on May 8 and predicted light to moderate rain in low and mid hills. Light rain and snow are expected in higher reaches on May 8 and 9.
Due to inclement weather conditions, 16 roads in the state are blocked, and 719 transformers have been disrupted. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti, which had received 85% deficit rains in March 2023, is witnessing periodic snowfall and rains, reducing the deficit to 53% in May. The residents who were worried about drought-like conditions during summers are feeling relieved as agriculture in the district is rainfed. Due to deficit rains during winters, people were concerned that the natural sources of water would dry up during the summers, creating a scarcity of drinking water and irrigation.
Former Zila Parishad Vice President, Rigjin Samphel Harpa, from Kwaring village, led a deputation from his village to Shimla and apprised the chief minister and deputy chief minister along with local MLA Ravi Thakur about the situation. Rigjin said that the current spell of rain and snow is a boon for farmers as it would provide nutrition for forest wealth. However, providing irrigation facilities to villages in Lahaul is of utmost importance.
Thakur said that the main demand of the people of Lahaul and Spiti is the strengthening of irrigation facilities, and the state government’s priority is to solve this problem. “The matter has been taken up with the CM and Deputy CM, and I have already taken two rounds of Lahaul and visited Spiti once, and another is proposed soon,” he said.