Historic Early December Snowfall Hits Shimla After Decades
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Shimla, Dec 8 (NationPress) In a historic event, the capital of Himachal Pradesh and its neighboring tourist locations experienced the season’s first snowfall in early December on Sunday evening. This remarkable occurrence has led the hospitality sector to anticipate a significant increase in tourist traffic.
Officials from the Meteorological Department confirmed, "Shimla and its surrounding regions have received light snowfall, marking the first snow of the season in Shimla town."
Nearby areas such as Kufri and Narkanda also saw snowfall, enhancing the picturesque charm of these tourist hotspots.
As the news of this snowfall circulates, it is expected that numerous tourists will visit Shimla, renowned for the imperial elegance of its historical buildings, which were once centers of authority during its tenure as the summer capital of British India.
Ganesh Sud, a local resident who has lived in Shimla since the early 1990s, remarked, "This is the first time we have witnessed snowfall in early December. Based on my recollections, this is the season’s first snowfall in more than two decades."
His daughter Radhika, a college student, expressed, "I am experiencing snowfall in early December for the first time."
According to a Met Office official, the snowy scenery in Shimla is likely to remain for only a few hours due to relatively high minimum temperatures. Reports indicate that areas within the apple belt, including Jubbal and Kharapathar, also received snow.
The official further noted, "High-altitude regions of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Shimla districts have been experiencing snow."
The stunning Dhauladhar range in the Kangra valley has also received a fresh snow covering, while Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district noted snowfall as well. Additionally, lower regions such as Dharamsala, Palampur, Solan, Nahan, Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi towns experienced rainfall, resulting in a significant drop in temperatures. The Met Office predicts that scattered rain or snow is expected across the state until Monday. Following the clearing of the skies, the minimum temperature statewide could drop by three to four degrees, as reported by a meteorologist.
