After 25 years, Shimla experiences snowfall on Christmas

Shimla celebrated a White Christmas after 25 years.

The city witnessed the season's first snowfall bringing cheers to tourists, while farmers heaved a sigh of relief as widespread showers in mid and lower hills broke the prolonged dry spell.

The sky remained heavily overcast and high velocity chilly winds swept the region causing sharp fall in the day temperature that dropped by five to 10 degrees Celsius.

While upper areas of Shimla recorded 3 cm of snowfall, the adjoining resorts of Kufri and Fagu had 5 cm to 10 cm of precipitation.

The spell froze a stream at Chanshal, 158 km from hillsqueen Shimla.

The snowfall increased the tourist rush. Himachal Tourism Development Corporation and other hotels in the central areas of Shimla were packed to capacity.

The last time Shimla experienced snowfall on Christmas was in 1991, according to the meteorology department's records.