Heavy rain, snow to lash Himachal
Heavy snowfall is likely to hit Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla from Thursday night, the MeT said as it forecast heavy rainfall in Una, Hamirpur and Bilaspur of Himachal Pradesh. Both heavy rain and snow is likely to be experienced in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla under the influence of the western disturbance over Northwest India. After almost 24 hours of heavy rain and snow, there was sunshine at many places in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday taking the mercury down at several places. Keylong recorded minus 3 degrees Celsius, the lowest in the hilly state, while Paonta Sahib was at 14.3 degrees. Minimum temperatures were 3 to 4 degrees above normal while maximum temperatures were 5 to 6 degrees below normal, according to the MeT. Some roads were blocked following the snowfall there were reports of minor accidents of buses skidding.
Maximum snowfall was recorded at: Kothi (70 cm), Hansa (31cm), Manaki (22cm), Gondala (20cm), Khadrala-(18cm), Kalpa (17cm), Kufri (15 cm),
Moorang (13 cm) and Pooh (12cm). While Ghamroor led with 79 mm rainfall followed by Amb 76 mm, Guler (63), Palampur (61), (60), Kheri (59), Nagrota Suriyan (58), Sujanpur Tira (53), Saloni and Una (51 each), Nadaun (50), Dharampur (49), Nahan (48), Naina Devi and Jogindernagar (46 each), Pachhad and Sangrah (45 each). From Saturday heavy snowfall is forecast for Lahul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts. The administration has warned about disruption in water and electricity, communications and related services.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi said here today that vehicular traffic in Kufri-Fagu stretch has been restored and Shimla-Rampur Road has been opened at Narkanda. Also, Shimla-Rohru Road has been opened at Kharapathar for vehicular traffic and Theog-Chopal Road which was earlier blocked due to snowfall at Khirkee has been opened. He advised the people to be cautious while driving due to slippery conditions on the roads and reassured the people that administration had adequate machinery and manpower to meet any eventuality.
