Hot weather affects Shimla tourism, agri sector

FUTURE FEARS

Continuous warm weather in Shimla has everyone worried, particularly farmers and those in the tourism trade.

"The normal temperature in January varies between 2 degrees Celsius to 9 degrees Celsius in Shimla, but for the past week the temperature is varying between 6-7 degree Celsius (minimum) to 17.5 degree Celsius (maximum)," said Shimla Meterological Office Head Manmohan Singh.

"On Monday the city recorded a minimum temperature of 7.3 degree Celsius and maximum of 17.5 degree Celsius. This is the average temperature of March and not January," added Singh.

"Entire Himachal Pradesh is experiencing unusually high temperatures. The last snowfall and rain took place in the second week of December," said Singh.

The long dry spell has farmers worried as the snow is considered crucial for their crops while rain is equally important in the lower hills.

With snow, which is the natural manure for apple cultivation, continuing to elude the state, the production of the fruit is estimated to have fallen by 50 per cent in the state this season, thus affecting the approximately Rs 1,500 crore annual trade. Total production of apple in the state in 2005 was 5.40 lakh tonnes which came down to 2.68 lakh metric tonnes last year.

Also, due to lack of snowfall in the hill state, tourists are reluctant to visit it this winter.