Shimla, Jan 22 (UNI) Night temperature stayed a few degrees above normal in Shimla and the nearby area as mercury improved around two to three degrees from the normal.

Though there is chill in the area, the partly cloudy sky kept most places of Himachal Pradesh comparatively warm. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast rain and snowfall in high reaches of the state; however, Shimla and Solan districts are likely to be mainly dry.

IMD predicted inclement weather conditions in the state at a few places in the next 24 hrs. Rain and snowfall are forecast in the high reaches of Kangra, Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul Spiti, and Kinnaur; however, it is likely to be mainly dry in Shimla, Solan, Sirmour, and Una and parts of the Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts.

Prolonged dry spell conditions in Shimla and nearby areas and the rest of the four districts are likely to aggregate the drought conditions, and farmers are relying upon irrigating their fields, currently sowing or repining off-season vegetables and Rabi crops like wheat, barley, mustard, peas, cabbage, garlic, and onion.

Prolonged dry spells and deficient rainfall in many parts of the apple-growing region have made it so that farmers are not able to apply manure and fertiliser in the orchard, and due to drought-like conditions, apple growers are waiting for rain or snow to plant new orchards in the winter seasons.

Deficient rainfall and snowfall may likely precipitate water shortages in the coming few days. Maximum temperature staying above normal also affects the productivity of fruit crops.

In the last 24 hrs it was mainly dry and pleasant weather in the day, and roads are mainly clear. Partly, the sky is covered in snow and black ice from the roads, and most of the roads are clear.

Baring Darcha to Shinkula, Towards Kargil, Darcha to Sarchu (Nh-003) Leh, Koksar to Manali Via Rohtang (Nh-003), Koksar to Lossar Via Kunzum All roads in Lahaul Spiti were opened till this report was filled.

According to District administration, Lahaul Spiti Keylong to Darcha (Nh-003), Keylong to Atr (Atal Tunnel) (Nh-003), ATR to Manali (Nh-003), Tandi to Udaipur, Udaipur to Tindi, Kadhu Nullah, Kaza to Lossar (Nh-505) and Sumdo to Kaza (Nh- 505) roads are cloudy but open till the last report comes in.

IMD cautioned the commuters to drive in inclement weather on above roads and use snow chains and four-by-four wheel drive.

UNI ML ARN