Shimla, December 15
Unexpected snowfall today cheered tourists at the famous resort of Kufri which was covered under a thick white sheet. The snow has come 10 days before Christmas when a large number of tourists turn up here to enjoy festival.
Shimla received snowflakes accompanied with rain throughout the day. However, the snow melted because of rain. Manali and its surrounding areas had snow.
The tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur experienced heavy snowfall and the roads were closed for vehicular traffic at many places in the Shimla district because of snow. Other parts of the state had rain.
Many tourists, who had come here from Delhi, Punjab, Chandigarh and Haryana, rushed to Kufri on hearing about the snowfall there. Some youngsters from Patiala threw snowballs on each other and danced.
The tourists had to walk about 3 km to reach Kufri because the road was not traffic-worthy because of snow. Bus services were suspended because the road was slippery at many places.
Reports said there was snow in many interior areas of the district.
The Rohtang pass had about 180 cm of snow till 3 p.m., while the Solang Nullah, near Manali, had 60 cm of snowfall. Kalpa in Kinnaur had 25 cm of snow.
Reports said the Dhauladhars in the Kangra district had turned white with heavy snow.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Mr P.C. Katoch, held a meeting here today to chalk out the strategy for meeting any eventuality because of heavy snowfall.
He said 700 personnel would be deployed at various places to avoid any inconvenience to the
people.
MANDI: The entire Mandi region is in the grip of a severe cold wave following incessant rain in the lower areas and snowfall in the higher regions which is continuing for the past 24 hours. It is snowing heavily in the higher reaches of Chuhar, Karsog and Chachiot valleys of the
district.
DALHOUSIE: The famous hill station had its first snowfall of the season on Saturday. According to official sources 10 cm of snowfall was recorded. The Dalhousie hills continue to have snowfall and the surrounding areas of Dainkund, Kalarop and Lakkarmandi have been covered under heavy snow. The hills of Chamba district and the adjoining peaks of Doda district in Jammu and Kashmir have been experiencing heavy snowfall for the past 24 hours.
KANGRA: The Kangra valley was in the grip of a cold wave on Saturday. McLeodganj, Bhagsunag and Naddi also experienced
snowfall.
MANALI: The tourist spot of Manali and its adjoining areas received the
season's first snowfall on Saturday. The lower areas were lashed by rain. Normal life was disrupted in the entire upper Manali region following moderate to heavy
snowfall.
HAMIRPUR: Hamirpur got its first rainfall of the winter season on Saturday. The rain has brought down the temperature and the entire area is in grip of cold wave.
