More rain, snow likely in next 2 days

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 7

Shimla and its surrounding areas experienced the season’s first heavy snowfall today. It has been snowing in the tribal areas and other hills since morning.

The state capital received 18 cm of snow. Showers accompanied by strong winds lashed the city in the morning while it started snowing towards the evening.

Vehicular movement towards upper Shimla remained affected as the snow blocked the Hindustan-Tibet National Highway, state highways and link roads in the interiors.

Rampur-bound buses were diverted through Basantpur and Kingal as the national highway was blocked at Fagu, Kufri and Narkanda. The Shimla-Rohroo and Shimla Chopal roads were also blocked.

Shimla, donning a white mantle, looked fascinating. The area between Kufri and Fagu experienced 35 cm of snow.

The Dhauladhar Range in Kangra district received less than 45 to 50 cm of snow while Rohtang, Kunzam, Saach and Chansel Passes have been receiving continuous snowfall since morning.

Mercury dropped from 16 degree Celsius to 5.2 degree Celsius in Shimla, which experienced the warmest day on February 5, with the maximum temperature soaring to 21.8 degree Celsius. Keylong and Kalpa received 35 cm and 30 cm of snow.

Power connections have been snapped in Lahaul due to heavy snowfall.

Dharamsala received 50 mm rain, Manali 30 mm, Chamba, Sundernagar and Kalatop 23 mm each, Bhuntar and Bajaura 20 mm, Gaggal 19 mm, Jogindernagar 17 mm, Sarkaghat 15 mm and Baijnath 13 mm.

The Met Department has predicted rain and snow in the higher hills on February 8, 9 and rain and snow in low, mid and high hills from February 10 to 13. Director of the department Manmohan Singh said the rain deficit of the season was now 70 per cent.

Snow brings cheers to residents, tourists