Bara Bhangal cut off as white blanket covers Dhauladhars

Our Correspondent
Palampur, April 22

Upper reaches of Dhauladhar hills and high-altitude areas of Palampur experienced heavy snowfall in the past 20 hours while lower areas were lashed by heavy rain. The entire region is in the grip of a severe cold wave. Heavy snow and rain are expected in the next 24 hours.

Bara Bhangal was cut off from the rest of the world following heavy snowfall at the Thamsar Pass located at a height of 19,000 feet. Rajgunda, Kothi Kohar and upper reaches of the Lolar Pass also experienced heavy snow.

Normal life in the Palampur region was paralysed following snowfall and rain. Power supply and transport services were also hit. Many parts of Palampur, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur, Chhota Bhangal and adjoining areas remained without power following a snag in the transmission lines feeding many parts of Kangra.

Vehicular traffic to Chhota Bhangal and Billing has come to standstill. The district administration has suspended paragliding at Bir Billing. It has advised tourists and locals not to visit Billing as the roads are slippery and blocked at many points following rain and snowfall.