Himachal in grip of coldwave as higher reaches wear blanket of snow, white sleet in the Shimla town
The Shivering cold wave swept across the state and the mercury below freezing points forced people to pull out their warm wear and thermal clothes in Himachal Pradesh. The Shimla Mall Road, Ridge and IGMC to Sanjauli colleges had spell of white sleet in the afternoon and evening. The dark clouds had been hovering in the sky since morning. The minimum temperature of Keylong the headquarters of Lahaul Spiti was the coldest of this season as it was minus 5.6 degrees Celsius and Kalpa in Kinnaur minus 2.5 degrees, Tourist resorts towns of Kufri, Manali, and Narkanda are also under the grip of the extreme cold wave as night temperature stayed near two to three degrees and down from the normal by four to five degrees.
Tourists resort Kufri had two spells of white sleet and also recorded 2.3 mm of rainfall. This decreased visibility sharply in the capital town and two road accidents happened and six persons died today. The Mall Road and Ridge got a deserted look throughout the day due to frequent spells of rain and snowfall.
According to the Met Office higher reaches of Manali, Dhundi, and the North and South pole of Atal Rohtang Tunnel experienced snowfall this afternoon. The Capital town of Shimla, tourist resort Kufri, Narkanda, and Masobra had thick layers of sleet which further dipped the Mercury . The administration has deployed snow cutters to keep the Old Hindustan Tibet National Highway open. The district Lahaul Spiti administration has also issued a traffic advisory on the NH-03 and other local roads. According to the administration, the water bodies including Suraj Tal and Chandratal in the snowlines above 10,000 ft have frozen. It was snowing on The 13050 ft Rohtang Pass, Kunzum Pass, Jalori Jot, Sachpass Baralacha, and other places in the states.
Given the road and weather conditions in the district and also due to freezing temperatures, the formation of the black Ice phenomenon has started and slippery NH-3 may be periodically closed for vehicular traffic. The district administration said that all locals and Pangi-bound vehicles are allowed without restrictions, however, only four-by-four tourist vehicles are allowed to enter the district Lahaul Spiti via Atal Tunnel Rohtang and vice versa from 0900 hrt to 1500 hrs till further order.
Police Department Lahaul Spiti would oversee the traffic management and coordinate with district Kullu officers. Due to inclement locals conditions, tourists are advised to be very cautious while traveling in the valley. In case of snowfall, they are requested to move and stay in safe places. All Hotel and homestay owners are also requested to advise their guests likewise.
