HP lashed by snowfall, rains as cold conditions aggravates

Shimla, Jan 15(PTI) Normal life was thrown out of gear inmost parts of Himachal as intermittent heavy snowfall, sleetand rains cut off several areas from rest of the state whilevehicular traffic was suspended in mid and higher hills.

The Hindustan-Tibet national highway was closed beyondSanjauli near Shimla due to snow while the entire area beyondManali in Kullu district was cut-off by road.

A large of vehicles were stranded between Dhalli, Kufri,Narkanda and Kingal as the road was covered under 45 cm to 60cm of snow. The flights between Shimla, Kullu and Delhi weresuspended due to foggy conditions.

Shimla was lashed by rains, sleet, and snowfall today asminimum day temperature hovered around freezing point today.

Manali received about 40 cm of snow, Met office said.

The tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti and Pangi receivedheavy snowfall since yesterday and Keylong, Kaza recorded 100cm to 130 cm of snow today while Rohtang pass received 160 cmof fresh snow, it said.

Solang nallah recorded 120 cm of snow while Koksar andDarcha also received 120 to 150 cm of snow.

Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra and Churdhar ranges inSirmaur and Saach, Chansel and Kunzam passes experienced heavysnowfall, creating intense cold wave conditions in adjoiningvalley areas while Mcleod Ganj near Dharamsala, recorded 20 cmof snow, it said.

Vehicular traffic was badly disrupted in mid and lowerhills also as heavy fog reduced visibility to a few meters andvehicles moved at a snail''s pace even during the day.

Theog and Kufri in Shimla district recorded over 60 cm ofsnow, while tourist resort of Narkanda received over 130 cm ofsnow. The lower hills were also lashed by rains accompanied byhigh velocity icy winds, further aggravating the cold wave.

Bangana was wettest in the region with 50 mm of rainswhile Hamirpur and Mehre recorded 46 and 41 mm of rains. Powersupply was interrupted in tribal Lahaul valley and there wasno electricity since this morning.

Water pipes were frozen as minimum temperature was 10 to23 degree below freezing point and people were melting water.

The local MeT office has predicted more rains or snow inhigher hills and tribal areas during next 24 hours but therewould not be any significant fall in day temperature.