Himachal hills may turn white this weekend

If you want to witness snow this weekend, head to Himachal Pradesh as the Met predicts chances of precipitation at many places. "A Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Himalayan region on Friday with its peak activity on Saturday," the meteorological department statement said. Chances of widespread snow in higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Sirmaur and Chamba districts were high.

Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda, Manali and Dalhousie, located in mid-hills, may witness moderate snowfall after Friday, the Met official added. Shimla, which saw a low of 8.1 degrees Celsius, had received moderate snow on February 12 and 13, like its neighbouring Kufri, Mashobra and Narkanda. Tourist resort Manali, some 250 km from here, saw a low of minus 1.6 degrees Celsius. Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state at minus 4.1 degrees Celsius.

It was minus 1.2 degrees in Kalpa, 7.5 degrees in Dalhousie and 8.8 degrees in Dharamsala town. The weather bureau said rainfall and snowfall is expected at most places on Saturday with chances of heavy spells in mid and high hills. Low hills and plains were likely to see hailstorm. Those in the hospitality industry are happy as they are expecting a record number of footfalls this weekend owing to chances of more snow. "Snow is an added attraction for the tourists," D.P. Bhatia, Shimla-based liaison officer with the Oberoi Group of hotels, told IANS.