After a prolonged dry spell, Himachal Pradesh has been hit by substantial snowfall and rain over the past four days, posing significant challenges for local residents, especially in tribal districts like Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti.
According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Lahaul and Spiti district experienced snowfall that exceeded 530 percent of the average amount for this time of year.
Normally, the district receives around 20.8 centimetres of snowfall and rain, but during this recent spell, it recorded more than 131 centimetres of snowfall.
Additionally, Lahaul and Spiti witnessed 700 percent excess snowfall and rain compared to its average, while Chamba district recorded 516 percent excess precipitation.
The entire state of Himachal Pradesh recorded 508 percent excess rain and snowfall, with reports of avalanches in several districts. One significant incident occurred near Dara Falls in Jasrath village, Lahaul Spiti, where an avalanche halted the flow of the Chenab River for more than 15 hours.
This caused panic among residents downstream. In another incident, heavy snowfall triggered an avalanche that struck five vehicles in Solanganala, a tourist spot in Manali, and damaged five shops near the Tandi bridge.
The Lahaul Valley has been completely cut off from the rest of the world due to the heavy snowfall.
The sudden snowfall and rain affected infrastructure across the state, with 652 roads, 1,749 transformers, and 78 water projects bearing the brunt of the adverse weather conditions.
Consequently, the deputy commissioner of Lahaul Spiti district declared a holiday for government and educational institutions on March 4, 2024, and residents were advised to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
Meteorologist Rajesh Singh Rana explained that the phenomenon of excess snowfall and rainfall simultaneously is uncommon. This unusual weather pattern was attributed to the convergence of an active western disturbance, moist winds from the Arabian Sea, and winds from Punjab and Rajasthan. The IMD has forecasted the continuation of this weather system for the next 2-3 days, indicating the likelihood of more precipitation in the state.
Residents from Sangla, Kinnaur, expressed concern over the unprecedented snowfall in March, highlighting the challenges faced in accessing essential services like water and electricity.
However, some locals in Lahaul and Spiti welcomed the precipitation, noting its positive impact on agriculture and water availability during the summer months. They highlighted the importance of the recent snowfall for farmers and orchardists in the region, suggesting that it could lead to favourable yields.