Yesterday Shimla and many other parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir received thundershower and heavy rains accompanied with an unusual hailstorm activity. Also a few upper reaches have reported some light snowfall. As had been cautioned earlier, many regions in the hills saw landslides and mudslides as a consequence to heavy rainfall.
According to the reports, heavy rains triggered a massive landslide at Manali, on Friday evening, leaving nearly 2,000 tourists stranded. Nearly 600 tourist vehicles still remain stuck at the location. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel have been deployed near the Rohtang Pass to clear the route.
Now, from tomorrow on ward the weather will start clearing up and the temperatures which are below normal over most parts of hilly states will now crawl back to normal.
Since the beginning of January, a series of successive Western Disturbances have affected the Western Himalayas. This is an unusual high frequency of Western Disturbances which have been witnessed by Western Himalayas at this time of the year. During the month of May as well, at least four active Western Disturbances have affected the Western Himalayas till now.
This year, as an exception during the month of May, the hilly states of Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have received snowfall activities on the upper reaches like that of Dhauladhars and Chhota and Bara Bhangal.
Keeping inclement weather and upcoming elections in mind the election commission in Himachal Pradesh has arranged buses for the voting parties.
Usually by the month of March, the frequency and intensity of Western Disturbances start reducing over the Himalayas. However, this year we are in the third week of May already and Western Disturbances are still approaching the Western Himalayas.
Now, the intensity of active Western Disturbances will start reducing gradually.
A less active Western Disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayas on May 21 as well, but it will fail to induce any major weather activities. The intensity of rains will remain on a humble note. This may be the last active Western Disturbance during this month. Although even now, feeble Western Disturbances will approach the region, but they will not give heavy rain and thundershower activity.
Image Credits – The People Post, The Tribune
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather