Snowfall in Shimla, 162 roads closed in state

Shimla, February 1

Shimla and adjoining areas received another spell of snow, which disrupted vehicular traffic at many places due to slippery roads even though the region had a bright day today.

The cold wave conditions further aggravated and minimum and maximum temperatures were 1 to 2 °C and 4 to 5 °C below normal, respectively.

Kalpa received 11 cm of snow, followed by Kufri (5 cm), Shimla and Bhawanagar (1 cm). The vehicular traffic was disrupted near Dhalli, Taradevi and Tutu.

The snow made the roads slippery and commuters were advised not to travel beyond Dhalli on Kufri and the Mashobra road late evening and during night, Shimla SP Omapati Jamwal said.

As many as 162 roads, including three national highways (two in Shimla circle and one in Shahpur circle) are still closed. A maximum of 11 roads are blocked in the Shimla zone, 31 in the Kangra zone and 17 in the Mandi zone. In all, 81 roads are expected to be opened tonight and 55 by Sunday night, sources in the PWD said.

Intermittent rains lashed some parts of the state and Sundernagar received 7 mm of rain, Shimla 1.6 mm, Manali, Chamba, Palampur and Bawanagar 1 mm each. Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest at night with a minimum temperature of -15°C. — TNS