Rohtang closed to traffic after snow

Our Correspondent

KULLU, NOVember 15

The 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to the Lahaul valley on the Manali-Leh National Highway, has been closed to vehicular traffic after experiencing around 6-inch snowfall today.

Manali SDM HR Bairwa said online permits to cross or visit the Rohtang had been stopped and vehicles would only be allowed after considering the weather conditions eased. He added that tourist vehicles would be allowed up to the snow point depending on the weather.

Generally, the Rohtang Pass is closed to traffic after November 15, but sometimes vehicles ply till there is no accumulation of snow and the road is cleared by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). However, the movement of traffic is regulated in view of public safety because due to its high altitude, the Pass is prone to sudden heavy snowfall which could pose a serious threat to the lives of visitors. Col AK Awasthi, Commander, 38 Border Road Task Force (BRTF), said he had approached the district administration of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti to halt the traffic in the wake of security of commuters. The road was covered with frost in many places, making travellers vulnerable. The Commander said there were very less commuters through the Rohtang Pass and the BRO had removed its machinery from the Manali-Rohtang-Koksar road.

The Lahaul valley remains cut-off for about 6 months during winters due to heavy snow at the Rohtang Pass. The rescue posts are set up at Marhi on the Manali side and Koksar on the Lahaul side from November 15 till December 31 to assist commuters to cross the Pass on foot. These posts are again set up after March 15 to assist commuters till the road opens around mid-May to traffic. The only way in and out of the valley is through the helicopter services provided by the state government during winters. Now with the completion of digging of the 8.8-km Rohtang tunnel, the commuters will soon have another option to cross the mighty Pass.

Traffic curbs

• Vehicles will not be permitted to cross the Rohtang Pass
• Tourist vehicles will be allowed till the snow point, depending on the weather
• The traffic is regulated in view of public safety 

Chamba turns white 

• The upper reaches in Chamba district received mild snowfall, while the lower hills witnessed rain, on Wednesday. 
• The snowfall has brought respite to locals as dry weather had made things difficult for them. 
• The minimum temperature in Chamba increased by a few notches.