Two-month long dry spell in Himachal Pradesh ended on Wednesday as most of the parts of the state received widespread rain in the low areas and snow in the higher reaches.
This has brought cheers to the farmers and the stakeholders belonging to the hotel industry.
The IMD had forecast two western disturbances in succession that were likely to affect the dry weather conditions in the state with rain or snow from January 31 for subsequent 2-3 days.
The meteorological department official¸ Shimla on Wednesday evening forecast possibility of moderate rain or snowfall at many places in the districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and Higher reaches of Shimla in the next 24-hour.
Whereas there is possibility of light to moderate rain at isolated places in the districts of Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, Mandi accompanied with thunder and lightning.
The weather is likely to be dry in the low hills and middle hills on February 2, whereas high hills will face rain or snow at isolated places, said the official.
Kufri, the famous hill station adjoining Shimla received snowfall, while Manali, another famous tourist destination received 5 cm of snow.
Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti district and Kalpa in Kinnaur district received 14. 2 cm and 1 cm of snowfall respectively, Bharmour in Chamba district recorded 8.6 cm of snowfall.
The rain and snow have brought down the temperatures significantly.
The farmers of the apple belt of districts of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur worried about the prolonged dry spell have reasons to cheer.
Harish Chauhan, Fruit Vegetables and Flowers Growers Association President, who is also an apple orchardist from Shimla district, is hopeful that the snowfall will fulfil the chilling hour requirement for the apple crop.
“Long wait for snowfall has finally ended. It has ignited hope of better apple produce in future,” he said.