Heavy snowfall in Manali, Lahaul-Spiti
Keylong in Lahaul Valley of Himachal

A week after heavy snowfall crippled life in Himachal, another spell of heavy snowfall in upper Himachal, including Manali and Lahaul-Spiti district and parts of Kinnaur district has affected normal life while avalanches have posed threat to both property and lives.

An avalanche in Yangthang area of Lahaul has reportedly damaged three houses. No mishap was reported in the incident.

While upper regions of state are getting snow, lower parts are lashed with rain. A fresh wave of cold has gripped the state as day temperature has plunged 5 to 6 degrees Celsius in 24 hours.

Parts of Lahaul experienced blizzards and over 30cm of snow has accumulated since Thursday evening. District administration has decided to keep the schools close in the whole of Lahaul-Spiti district on Saturday.

Both Kothi and Solang in Manali have received over 70cm of snow. Manali town received 6cm snow and over 40cm of snow has fallen in Keylong. Khadrala in Shimla received 24cm of snow.

Kalpa in Kinnaur and Dalhousie in Chamba received 14 and 7cm of snow respectively. Jalori pass in Kullu has received 45cm more snow.

Snowfall has again blocked a large number of roads in the state. All roads in Lahaul valley are blocked.

Snowfall in Manali has cheered tourists. However, tourist movement to higher areas was stopped.

Border Roads Organization (BRO) had cleared snow from 7km stretch between Keylong and Stingri and 10km stretch between Thirot and Udaipur but fresh snow has again blocked both the stretches. All other roads of the valley are lying blocked for days.

There are reports of more avalanches in Lahaul valley. The north portal of Rohtang tunnel in Lahaul too has witnessed some avalanches in last few days.

The portal has already been sealed by tunnel authority as the whole region is very prone to avalanches.

Dhundi area of Manali near south portal of Rohtang tunnel has also witnessed many avalanches in past few days. However, the work of the tunnel is still underway.

Lahaul-Spiti executive deputy commissioner Subhash Gautam said the entire district has received heavy snow and it’s still continuing.

“The weather is predicted to be inclement in next few days. Taking precautionary measures, it is decided to keep all schools of the district closed on Saturday. Keylong-Stingri, Udaipur-Thirot and Tandi to helipad roads are again blocked with snow,” he said.

In the meantime, lower areas of Himachal received good rain on Friday. Gohar, Baldwara and Bharari received 60, 59 and 55mm of rain respectively.

Jogindernagar (44), Ghumarwin (42), Dharamshala (37), Sarkaghat (36), Nadaun (35), Una (34), Mandi (31), Naina Devi (30), Hamirpur (28), Sundernagar (24) also received rain.

No relief from rain and snowfall

Himachal will receive more rain and snow in next six days as Shimla met office has predicted bad weather conditions in next six days.

Meteorological centre, Shimla, director Manmohan Singh, said a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayas from February 17.

“Minimum temperature of state has decreased by 2 to 3 degrees C while maximum temperature has decreased by 5 to 6 degrees C.”

At minus 7 degrees C, Keylong was the coldest in state. Kalpa and Manali recorded minimum temperatures of minus 3 and minus 1.4 degrees C.

Mercury settled at 3.7 degrees C in Shimla and it was 2.6 degrees C in Dharamshala.

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The Himalayan

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