Shimla, Mar 3 (UNI) Overcast skies, persistent snow accumulation, and biting cold continued to disrupt life across Himachal Pradesh, with Keylong recording the state’s lowest minimum temperature at 10.2°C.
Higher reaches plunged to minus 15°C to minus 20°C, leaving Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Kinnaur districts cut off from the rest of the state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a forecast predicting widespread rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated places over the next 24 hours.
Shimlacity and adjoining areas are likely to experience a generally cloudy sky with light rain, while light snow is expected in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, and higher reaches of Chamba, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts. Light rain may also occur in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and parts of Chamba, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu.
Minimum temperatures of Shimla (6.2°C), Sundernagar (8.2°C), Bhuntar (5.0°C) Kalpa (-2.1°C) Manali (1.6°C), Dharamshala (4.2°C) Solan (5.0°C) Kangra (9.6°C) Mandi (8.7°C) and Bilaspur (9.3°C) Una, which registered the highest maximum temperature of 28.4°C in the past 24 hours, saw its minimum at 6.7°C.
Chamba recorded 9.9°C, Dalhousie 6.3°C and Jubberhatti 8.2°C, while Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti shivered at minus 9.8°C. Paonta Sahib (12.0°C) and Dehra Gopipur (11.0°C) reported relatively milder lows. Hamirpur’s data remained unavailable.
The IMD warned of isolated heavy rain/snow, thunderstorms, and cold-day conditions on March 3–4, urging residents to stay alert. Dry weather is expected from March 5 onwards. Shallow fog reduced visibility to 500 meters in Bilaspur and 800 meters in Mandi, compounding travel challenges.
Authorities advised caution amid ongoing disruptions, with recovery efforts underway in snowbound regions. For updates, the IMD recommended monitoring its official platforms.
UNI ML ARN