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Light rain, snowfall likely in Himachal’s Chamba, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti regions today

At 26 degree Celsius, Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur recorded the highest temperature in Himachal Pradesh over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the Kullu administration has allowed tourists to visit Rohtang Pass on Monday.

2 min readDharamshalaDec 1, 2025 12:12 PM IST

On Sunday, the weather department had issued a prediction of rain and snow across most mid- and high-hill areas of Himachal Pradesh over the next couple of days.

The weather department said that the Himachal Pradesh recorded 99 per cent deficient rainfall between December 1 and 30, with only 0.2 mm rain against a normal of 36.2 mm. (Express Photo)

The weather department in Himachal Pradesh has forecast light rain and snowfall at several isolated locations in Chamba, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti districts on Monday. Partially cloudy skies are expected over Shimla and Kangra districts, including Dharamshala and McLeodganj, while moderate fog was reported near the water reservoir in Bilaspur district.

At 26 degree Celsius, Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district recorded the highest temperature in the state over the past 24 hours. On Sunday, the weather department predicted rain and snow across most mid- and high-hill areas of Himachal Pradesh over the next couple of days.

Meanwhile, the Kullu district administration has allowed tourists to visit Rohtang Pass via Manali on Monday.

An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla, said, “Due to prevailing rainfall and snowfall conditions, the minimum temperature is likely to rise gradually by 2–3 degree Celsius over the next 2–3 days. Thereafter, it is expected to fall gradually by 2–5 degree Celsius during the subsequent two to three days. No major change in maximum temperatures is expected over the next three to four days, after which it may decline by 2-3 degree Celsius.”

On Friday, Himachal Pradesh’s officiating Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta reviewed the state’s winter preparedness during a high-level meeting in Dharamshala. He directed all administrative secretaries, heads of departments and deputy commissioners to ensure full readiness ahead of the upcoming rain and snowfall.

Gupta instructed departments to remain vigilant and ensure that snow-clearing machinery is strategically stationed to prevent disruption of essential movement during heavy snowfall. District administrations have been asked to appoint nodal officers for department-wise coordination to oversee winter-related activities and ensure swift response.

Emphasising prevention and early action, he directed all departments to strictly implement guidelines issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) to minimise risk to life and property. He said weather advisories and warnings must be issued in a timely, clear and easily understandable manner.

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Gupta also called for the identification of fire-prone and high-risk zones, noting that domestic fire incidents tend to spike during winter. He directed the Fire Department to conduct sensitisation campaigns and complete fire safety audits of critical buildings, including hospitals, offices and schools.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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