Fresh snowfall in Rohtang Pass forces closure of Manali-Leh highway

Rohtang Pass (Himachal Pradesh), Apr 19 (ANI): The Rohtang Pass, the crucial road link between Manali in Kullu district and Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district in Himachal Pradesh received untimely snowfall on Monday leading to the closure of Manali-Leh highway for vehicular traffic again.

The area has been receiving snowfall since late Sunday and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) personnel are working to clear this strategically important road link.

Three bulldozers along with a snow cutter have been deployed on the 13,050 high Rohtang Pass despite the adverse weather. The tourists holidaying in and around Manali and other spots were, however, delighted to witness the rainfall.

For many of them, the unexpected snowfall provided the first ever experience of witnessing snowflakes.

"This is the first time that we have seen such a heavy snowfall. All of us are enjoying a lot and it feels like a paradise here," said Mirdul, a tourist from Chennai.

Just a few days ago, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had opened the Rohtang Pass for traffic that was closed for nearly four months due to heavy snowfall during the winter season.

The Pass was closed due to heavy snowfall and it was declared open for light vehicles on Thursday, almost a month before the scheduled date. (ANI)