Though the snow fell heavily in Kufri, Shimla too experienced light snow in the city, with the expectations of it getting heavier. Says Manmohan Singh, director meteorological centre, Shimla, “The snow was more pronounced in the higher recess of Himachal, though Shimla city too had snow. However, as of now, in Shimla it is likely to snow only till the night.” While Singh said there was another probability of snow around January 29, it wasn’t likely to be hit Shimla. “As of now, there are no chances of it falling in Shimla again in January, but we can’t be certain at this point.” And when it snows, people in Chandigarh do what they are best at doing…stuffing their woolies and driving off to the hills!
Raghav Sood, from department of Psychology, Panjab University was among the first ones to take off to Shimla on Tuesday. “We had been longing for the first snowfall of the year. For me it has come just at the right time. I am heading home for the week. As I reached, it was as if I was greeted with a blanket of snow! It is always amazing to be in Shimla when it snows,” he beamed. For others like Kashish Parmaik, a student of SD College, Sector 32, Chandigarh, the light snowfall was reason enough to dare her to take to the road. “It has been a few years since I last got the opportunity to witness snowfall. So, I’m not missing it this time. It has not snowed much in Shimla, hence is safe to drive upto there. I’m already packing my bags,” said an excited Kashish.
Ravish Datta, who hails from Himachal, echoed the sentiment experienced by many on this Tuesday. “I have seen snowfall all my life and yet it wakes up the child in me who wants to rush out and make a snowman with the snow or hit people mischievously with snowballs. We almost thought we will not see it (snowfall) this year, but thank god it did snow.”
Those who missed the opportunity were crestfallen, more so since the next snowfall is perhaps far away. Said Prikshit Hauta, “I’m gutted to have missed out on snowfall! I was there until yesterday and the weather was clear. Today the streets are all white. But I am happy for the orchardists since mainly snowfall is beneficial for apple growth.”