Red alert for heavy snow, rain in Himachal today

Shimla/Mandi, February 18

The weather department has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy snow/rain and thunderstorm at isolated places in several districts for Monday. The weather department has upgraded the alert from orange to red for tomorrow.

The forecast for heavy to very heavy rain/snow at isolated places has been issued for the district of Chamba, Kangra, Kinnaur, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Mandi and Shimla. As per the department, there will be rain at most places in plains and low hills, and snow/rain at most places in mid and high hills.

Due to heavy precipitation, the disruptions of essential services such as water, electricity, communications and related services is likely. The visibility is also likely to decrease. Besides, the department has advised people to take adequate safety measures.

Meanwhile, the snowfall has already started in Manali and parts of Lahaul. As a result, the Manali administration stopped traffic movement beyond Manali. Heavy snowfall has left the Manali and the Lahaul region in the grip of cold wave.

KD Sharma, DSP Manali, told The Tribune that due to snowfall in Manali and Lahaul region in daytime today, the vehicular movement had been stopped beyond Manali towards Lahaul on the Manali-Leh highway after 2 pm. “Only 4×4 vehicles in emergency cases were allowed to move beyond Manali towards Lahaul or come to Manali from Lahaul,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Lahaul and Spiti, Rahul Kumar, said that due to fresh snowfall in the Lahaul region, roads had become risky for the movement of vehicles. “We have advised people to avoid unnecessary journeys towards Lahaul or within the Lahaul valley until snow is cleared from the roads,” he said. The DC said the water and power supply were normal in the district. He urged the people to follow the instructions of administration strictly to avoid any untoward incident.