By IANS,
Shimla : The Himachal Pradesh weather bureau has asked tourists to avoid venturing out in higher reaches, which are likely to witness heavy snowfall next week.
“The western disturbances are approaching the region Saturday and they will remain active in Himachal Pradesh till Feb 9. Under the influence of the western disturbances, rainfall and snowfall will start Saturday at a few places,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological Office here, told IANS.
He said the western disturbances become intense between Feb 7 and 8, resulting in heavy snowfall in higher and mid hills and rainfall in lower reaches.
The Met Office has advised the tourists not to travel in high-altitude and remote areas Feb 7-9.
All the 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh, except Lahaul and Spiti, have received less than average precipitation so far.
“After a virtually dry December, the state received inadequate rain and snow in January which is not enough to ensure a good rabi crop. During last month, the overall precipitation in the state was 84 percent less than the long-term normal values of rainfall,” Singh said.