Snowfall breaks 17 years' record in Lahaul

MANALI: The snowfall has broken 17 years' record in Lahaul valley, with district headquarters Keylong recording over 60cm snowfall in 12 hours on Wednesday. Crippling normal life in valley, snowfall and blizzards are still continuing. The maximum temperature decreased by 7 to 8 degree Celsius during the last 24 hours.
According to Shimla Meteorological Centre, rain and snow would continue in the state till March 3.Kalpa recorded 33 cm snowfall, Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti recorded 38 cm, Moorang 5 cm and Manali 3 cm. Dalhousie recorded 62 mm rainfall, Bhandal 60 mm, Chamba 45 mm, Saloni 44 mm, Kheri 35 mm, Kasol 31 mm, Seobagh 30 mm, Manali and Karsog 25 mm each, Banjar and Bijahi 24 mm each, Dehra Gopipur 23 mm, Bhuntar, Jubbarhatti and Mashobra 19 mm each, officials said.
Lahaul administration has sounded a high alert and announced that schools will remain closed on Wednesday and Thursday. Dense and large sized snowflakes resulted in fast accumulation of snow. High speed winds in many areas have made the situation worse, forcing residents to stay indoors for the whole day, sources said.
"This is the heaviest snowfall of the season," Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Hans Raj Chauhan said, adding that the entire Lahaul valley is experiencing heavy snowfall since Wednesday morning. "The snowfall has broken the record of 1998 when Keylong and other parts of valley experienced very heavy snowfall. Keylong has received over 60cm snow and it's still continuing," he said.
There is a strong possibility of avalanches or collapsing of glaciers due to accumulation of fresh thick layer of snow on older snow. "Given the current situation, all education institutions have been ordered to remain closed for two days. Residents are advised not to come out of houses during snowfall. Conditions are absolutely favorable for avalanches," Chauhan said.
Jispa, Darcha, Koksar and other higher regions of the valley have received 60cm to 100cm fresh snow. Snow in Koksar is shoulder-high at places, while Rohtang pass, where no instrument is installed to measure snowfall, is believed to have received over 150cm snow in the last 24 hours.
The lowest minimum temperature of minus 4 degree Celsius was recorded at Kalpa town of Kinnaur district while maximum temperature recorded in the state was 0.6 degree Celsius. Keylong recoded minimum temperature of -1.7 degree Celsius and maximum temperature of 9.8 degree Celsius, while Shimla recorded minimum temperature of 6.8 degree Celsius and maximum temperature of 11.1 degree Celsius.
Manali recorded minimum temperature of -1.2 degree Celsius and maximum temperature of 14.8 degree Celsius, Dharamshala recorded minimum temperature of 8.6 degree Celsius and maximum temperature of 17.4 degree Celsius, while Solan recorded minimum temperature of 10 degree Celsius and maximum temperature of 17.5 degree Celsius.
The highest maximum temperature of 24.4 degree Celsius was recorded in Una while minimum temperature recorded here was 12.5 degree Celsius.