Shimla's Snow Disappears: 'Queen of Hills' Faces Unprecedented Dry Winter

• Shimla, the 'Queen of the Hills', is experiencing an unprecedented dry winter with no snowfall, a stark contrast to its usual snow-laden landscape.
• Himachal Pradesh saw a 99% rainfall deficit in December; Shimla recorded 0mm precipitation, far below its 21.4mm average.
• Weak Western Disturbances and higher temperatures (15-21°C max, 5-12°C min) are preventing snow, pushing the snowline to higher altitudes.
• This snowless winter is part of a larger warming trend in the Western Indian Himalayas, exacerbated by local factors like construction and deforestation.
• Tourism is severely impacted, with destinations like Shimla and Manali barren, leading to drought-like conditions in mid-hills and reshaping the region's identity.

Why It Matters: Shimla's snowless winter signals a critical environmental shift, impacting tourism, ecology, and local life.