Himachal Pradesh faces an unusually dry December with a 100% rainfall deficit. Popular tourist spots like Shimla, Manali, and Kurfi await their first snowfall, prompting the Shimla Winter Carnival to use cotton snow for celebrations.
A view of tourists walking around under the clear blue sky, in Shimla on Saturday. (photo: ANI)
Himachal Pradesh is witnessing an unusually dry winter this December, recording a 100 per cent rainfall deficit so far, forcing organisers to use cotton snow at the Winter carnival to attract tourists as the hill station awaits its first snowfall of the season.
The Shimla Winter Carnival, now in its the third edition, is a week-long festival scheduled to be held from December 24 to December 31 under the aegis of the Shimla Municipal Corporation. The carnival serves as a platform for all tourists to come together and celebrate music, art and cultural activities, with special focus on social awareness initiatives including anti-drug campaigns.
Advertisement
With global climate change underway, Himachal Pradesh’s snow dependent winter season is now marked by unpredictable rainfall and delayed snowfall, posing challenges for both tourism and agriculture. Meteorological data shows that large parts of the state have received no measurable rain or snow during what is typically a peak winter precipitation period. Highlighting the same, weather officials even say that the prolonged dry spell has pushed December towards becoming one of the driest on record for Himachal Pradesh.
Advertisement
While light snowfall has been reported in higher areas such as Lahaul and Spiti, popular tourist destinations like Shimla, Kurfi and Manali remain snowless. The state has experienced its lowest minimum temperature in Lahaul Spiti on Monday, with a temperature of minus 3.1 degrees Celsius.
Clear skies and dry weather are expected to prevail through the week starting Monday, according to the forecast. Although snowfall remains absent, the tourist footfall has continued during the holiday season.
Advertisement
