Shimla/Manali:
Snow has finally flipped the winter switch in Himachal Pradesh, sending tourists rushing through the Atal Rohtang Tunnel into Lahaul Valley, where fresh snowfall has transformed the cold desert into a postcard-perfect wonderland and revived the long-missing chill across the hill state.
After over two-and-a-half months of an unforgiving dry spell, the weather change has electrified tourism circuits. Visitors from across North India are pouring into snow destinations, chasing the promise of a rare White New Year, as the mountains slowly slip back into winter mode.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate snowfall is likely in higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Dalhousie on December 31, while light rain is expected in the lower and mid-hill regions. The IMD has also predicted a further dip in temperatures, reviving cold wave conditions in many parts of the state.
Tourism hotspots are already bursting at the seams. Hotel occupancy has crossed 80 per cent in Shimla and Manali, with last-minute bookings pushing numbers higher ahead of New Year’s Eve. Hoteliers say the snowfall buzz has brought back the kind of winter rush missing in recent years.
In Shimla, the Mall Road and the Ridge wore a carnival look as tourists thronged the Winter Carnival venues, soaking in music, culture and the mounting anticipation of snowfall. Cameras were out, woollens were layered, and hopes were high — snowflakes, many believe, will ring in 2026.
Beyond tourism, the snowfall and rain have brought a sigh of relief to farmers and apple growers, whose agricultural operations had stalled due to drought-like conditions. The precipitation is expected to restore soil moisture, support winter crops and recharge water sources.
The changing weather is also likely to wash away the thick smog that had settled over large parts of the apple belt in Shimla district. Prolonged dryness had triggered repeated forest fires, blanketing valleys in smoke and choking the mountain skyline.
As Himachal stands on the cusp of the New Year, the mood is unmistakably upbeat — snow has returned, spirits are lifted, tourism is booming, farmers are hopeful, and the hills seem ready to turn the page on a harsh winter drought, welcoming 2026 with fresh flakes and renewed promise.
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