Fresh snow covered the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti and the upper reaches of Kinnaur, Kullu, and several mountain passes, leading to a sharp dip in temperatures across the adjoining valleys. Videos of the season’s first snow quickly made their way online, showcasing picturesque scenes from Rohtang Pass and the Lahaul valley, both blanketed in a pristine layer of white.
Reports from the region indicated that temperatures in the tribal belts had plunged between two and seven degrees below freezing. The mid and lower hills, meanwhile, experienced light rainfall in isolated pockets. According to the Meteorological Department, Tabo recorded the lowest temperature at minus 2.2 degrees Celsius, followed by Kukumseri at minus 1.8degrees Celsius and Keylong at -0.4degrees Celsius.
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Similar weather conditions were reported in Jammu and Kashmir, where popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Sonamarg witnessed fresh snowfall a day earlier. Higher regions of Kupwara, including Sadhna Pass and areas near the Line of Control, also received snow, while the plains, including Srinagar, were lashed by steady rain. Officials said the wet spell was expected to ease by Wednesday afternoon, with dry weather likely to prevail across the region until November 15.
Amid winter’s arrival, Himachal Pradesh witnessed a rare and heartening wildlife event. A snow leopard, typically native to remote, high-altitude terrains, was spotted for the first time in the Kinnaur district recently.
The animal was discovered trapped in the filter inlet of the 120-MW Sanjay Hydroelectric Project dam at Bhaba Nagar. Project officials immediately informed the forest department, prompting a swift rescue operation. The Forest Range Officer (RO), accompanied by his team, coordinated efforts with a rescue squad from Rampur, the Kinnaur Superintendent of Police, and the local fire brigade.
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An initial attempt by the fire brigade to use a ladder for the rescue proved unsuccessful. The forest officials then relied on local methods to safely free the snow leopard without any injury or specialised equipment. After being released, the animal disappeared into the forest.
Forest officials confirmed that snow leopards are usually confined to high, snow-clad mountain ranges and have not previously been recorded in Kinnaur. They added that this unexpected sighting could indicate a gradual expansion of the species’ range. “The presence of snow leopards in the Bhabha valley is a positive sign from a biodiversity perspective,” officials said.
(Edited by : Jerome Anthony)
