Light snow brings cheers to tourists in Shimla, 200 roads in Himachal Pradesh closed for vehicular traffic

SHIMLA: Eight districts of Himachal are witnessing light or moderate snowfall while tourist resorts of Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie also received fresh snow. Following snowfall, a moderate avalanche warning has been issued for the higher places.

Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Sirmaur, Kinnaur, Kangra and Mandi districts are experiencing snowfall. South portal of Atal tunnel has received 30cm more snow in the last 24 hours. Solang valley has received 15cm of snow. Manali town received 6cm, Dalhousie received 3cm and Shimla city received some traces. Shikari Devi, Parashar lake and Janjehli in Mandi district also received snow.

Parts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti district received light snow. Bada Bhangal and Triund in Kangra district, Haripurdhar in Sirmaur district also received snow.
Kufri, Theog, Narkanda, Khadapathar, Chanshal, Churdhar, Kotgarh and Bagi in Shimla district also received light snow.

The Aut-Luhri road has been blocked after over 15cm of snow at Jalori pass in Kullu district. The Manali-Keylong highway and Udaipur-Killar roads are also blocked. Traffic movement on many roads in higher regions has come to a standstill following snowfall.

North India headed for severe cold spell this week, temperature to drop -4 degrees CelsiusAs many as 200 roads and three national highways in Himachal were blocked on Friday. 487 power transformers were also out of order.

An avalanche was reported from Rashal village of Lahaul on Friday. Nobody was hurt in the incident. The incident was recorded on the camera by a villager. High peaks including Rohtang, Shinkula, Baralacha and Kunzum have received heavy snow. A moderate warning for avalanches has been issued in many districts.



Tourists enjoyed the fresh snow in many districts of Himachal. While a large number of tourists enjoyed snowfall at Kufri, Manali, Dalhousie, Khajjiar, tourists at Shimla city were thrilled to see snowflakes.

People in most parts of the state woke up to a white blanket of snow outside, while some areas received snow in the morning and evening time. It was still snowing in the late evening on Friday.

In Manali, tourists were allowed to go upto Solang valley.

According to the meteorological centre, Shimla, the weather will remain generally dry from Saturday onwards. However, isolated areas in mid and high hills may receive light showers of rain and snow. While minimum temperature in the state was above normal, the maximum temperature was normal. The day temperature dropped after snowfall, overcast and rains. At minus 6.3 degrees C, Keylong was the coldest in the state.

The respective district administrations have also asked the officials to remain on alert with machinery to keep the roads, electricity and water supply running. The residents and tourists have been advised not to go to the higher places. Shimla police advised tourists not to go to the upper Shimla side as roads have become slippery. Kullu police also advised tourists not to go beyond Nehru Kund due to slippery road conditions.


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