Himachal in India gets snow early

(Times of India) Temperatures plummeted in parts of Himachal Pradesh as the upper reaches experienced moderate snowfall since Monday.

Rohtang pass near Manali, which connects the Kullu valley with Lahaul, received the season's first spell of snow. Kunzum pass on Manali-Spiti highway received 25 cm of fresh snow. The state road transport corporation suspended services on the Manali-Leh highway.

Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded a minimum temperature of 9.4 degrees Celsius. Manali witnessed a low of 10 degrees Celsius, Keylong recorded a low of 11 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature in Dharamshala plummeted to 18 degrees Celsius. Shimla, lashed by intermittent rainfall throughout the day, recorded a low of 14.6 degrees Celsius.

The Manali-Leh highway remained blocked for several hours after traffic was impaired across the Rohtang Pass.

"The southwest monsoon remained vigorous over the state in the last 24 hours causing very heavy rain and moderate snowfall in isolated parts of the state,"

said Shimla Met department director Manmohan Singh, adding the change in weather is attributed to western disturbances over J&K and neighbouring states interacting with easterly winds over Western Himalayas.