Snowfall in Kufri, Narkanda, 10 tourists rescued

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 5

As many as 248 roads, including 137 in Lahaul and Spiti, 51 in Kinnaur, 28 in Mandi, 16 in Kullu and 10 in Shimla district, are closed for vehicular traffic following moderate to heavy snowfall at higher hills, tribal areas and several tourist spots.

Also read: Water freezes in Lahaul valley

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The National Highway 5 is blocked near Narkanda and Kufri due to slippery conditions following snow. The traffic has been diverted through Basantpur and the Bhakhalti-Mashobra route. The Theog-Chopal Road is also blocked near Khidki due to bad weather.

Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Aditya Negi said the Shimla–Rohru road which was blocked near Kharapathar has been opened. He has advised commuters to be cautious while driving in evening hours and avoid travelling at night.

The Shimla police today rescued 10 tourists stranded due to snowfall in Khirki in Chopal subdivision of Shimla district. As per the MeT office another intense western disturbance is likely to affect Northwest India from the night of January 6 and heavy snowfall is expected in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur on January 8.

Koksar received 33 cm of snow followed by Kalpa 27 cm, Kothi 20 cm, Khadrala 17 cm, Hansa 12 cm, Gondla 10 cm, Keylong, Pooh and Moorang 8 cm each and Manali 6 cm. Narkanda and Kufri also received mild snow followed by intermittent rain.

Moderate rain lashed the region. Dalhousie was the wettest with 67 mm of rain followed by Manali 54 mm, Bhuntar 48 mm, Palampur 45 mm, Dharamsala 40 mm, Jogindarnagar 39 mm, Seobagh 30 mm, Chamba 29 mm, Saloni 23 mm and Wangto 22 mm. Shimla received intermittent rain. There was no appreciable change in the minimum temperatures and Keylong was the coldest in the day recording a low of minus 3.1 degree C.

Palampur hills turn white

Palampur: Upper reaches of Dhauladhars and Chhota and Bara Bhangal areas of the Palampur region experienced heavy snowfall in the past 24 hours, while lower areas were lashed by heavy rain. The region is in the grip of a severe cold wave. Chhota Bhangal and Bara Bhangal have been cut off from the rest of the state following heavy snowfall at the Thamsar Pass. Reports reaching here said 12 inches of snow was recorded at Billing while seven inches of snow was recorded at Kothi Kohar in Chhota Bhangal. Normal life was affected. Power supply and transport services were also hit. Many parts of Palampur, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur and adjoining areas remained without power for hours following a snag in transmission lines. Vehicular traffic to Chhota Bhangal and Billing came to a standstill following heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, hundreds of light and heavy vehicles are reported to be stranded at Multhan, Kothi Kohar, Luhardi, Billing and Barot. — OC

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