After a light snowfall in the mountains, several districts of Himachal Pradesh are now in the grip of a cold wave. A decrease in minimum temperatures has brought increased coolness during mornings and evenings in areas such as Una, Kangra, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti. The plains of the state also witnessed a yellow alert for fog on Saturday. The capital, Shimla, along with other regions of the state, experienced sunshine on Friday. In this season, Kukumseri recorded a record minimum of minus 12.4 degrees Celsius for the first time. On Friday, due to the fog in Una, the maximum temperature reached only 10 degrees Celsius. Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Una, as well as Solan, Sirmaur, and many areas of Mandi witnessed dense fog during both morning and evening on Friday. Visibility in many areas remained less than 200 meters. Despite the sun shining during the day due to cold winds, the weather remained cool in many areas.
According to the Shimla Meteorological Center, there are prospects of clear weather in the state for the next six days. As per the department, the weather is expected to remain clear in all parts of the state until January 25. However, a yellow alert for fog and cold wave has been issued for some parts of the plains for the next two days. From January 20-21, dense fog and the possibility of a cold wave are forecasted in certain regions of Bilaspur, Una, Kangra (Nurpur), Sirmaur (Paonta Sahib and Dharampur), Solan (Baddi and Nalagarh) during the morning hours. Motorists are advised to travel with caution.
Nahan, along with the plains, shrouded in fog, intensified shivering. After the plains, the district headquarters Nahan in the mountains witnessed fog on Friday morning. This has increased the intensity of shivering, and people are seen burning firewood during the day. Earlier, there has been persistent fog in the industrial areas of Kala Amb and Paonta Sahib for a long time. But now, fog has started reaching the mountainous areas as well. On one hand, where there has been a power outage in half the city since last night, on the other hand, after the fog settles in during the day, people are facing problems. Himachal Pradesh witnesses the lowest rainfall in the record of 122 years until January 18.
Due to the weather turning away from rainfall and snowfall in the state, conditions for drought are emerging. With the lowest rainfall this year until January 18 in Himachal in 122 years, 99.7% fewer clouds have descended across the state than usual. Due to the cessation of rainfall and snowfall from the state, drought conditions are starting to prevail. According to the director of the Shimla Meteorological Center, Surender Paul, on January 17, there was light snowfall and rain in the state.
From January 1 to January 18, 43.1 millimeters of rain in the state was considered normal. Only 0.1 millimeters of rain has occurred this year so far. According to available figures from 1901, the year 2024 has seen the least amount of cloud cover. Earlier in 1966, there was rainfall recorded 99.6% less than normal. In 1902, rainfall was recorded 92.4% less than normal. BBCN again covered in fog, increased cold. The industrial areas of Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh are once again shrouded in the embrace of fog. It has been foggy here since the morning. While just the day before, after almost two weeks, bright sunlight was seen here, and people got relief from the cold. However, on Friday, dense fog covered the area again. This has once again increased the severity of the cold. Vehicles are also moving slowly.
