The parts of Himachal on Friday were lashed by rain and hailstorms while high hills including Rohtang pass received fresh snow, bringing back winter-like conditions as mercury dipped sharply. Rohtang pass, which is covered with 20 to 30ft of snow, received 6cm more snow. The peaks around Manali, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba are getting more snow. The middle and lower hills of the state are receiving rain since Friday early morning. The temperature at many places has dipped abnormally. The minimum temperature of the state is 2 to 3 degrees C below and maximum temperature is 6 to 7 degrees C below the normal temperature during this time of the season. At 5.2 degrees C, Keylong recorded lowest night temperature in the state while the day temperature was 16 degrees C. Kalpa (6.9), Manali (7.6), Dalhousie (10.9), Shimla (12.2) and Dharamshala (16) also saw sharp fall in temperature. The maximum day temperature at these stations was 19, 19, 17.9, 22 and 23.8 degrees C respectively. The drop in both day and night temperatures have forced residents of Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, Bharmour, Kinnaur and higher regions of the state to wear heavy woollens. On Friday, people had to switch on their room heaters. According to meteorological centre, Shimla, the temperature in state has decreased by 2 to 7 degrees C in last 24 hours. The centre has predicted more rain till Sunday.
The parts of Himachal on Friday were lashed by rain and hailstorms while high hills including Rohtang pass received fresh snow, bringing back winter-like conditions as mercury dipped sharply. Rohtang pass, which is covered with 20 to 30ft of snow, received 6cm more snow. The peaks around Manali, Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba are getting more snow.
Manali may witness a surge in tourism as Kullu administration on Friday announced to throw open Marhi, the summer snow point, for tourists from Sunday while Rohtang pass will also open for vehicular traffic in a few days. The officials informed that Rohtang will be opened for vehicular traffic before May 15. However, it may take little more time to open the pass for tourists. Till then tourists can go to Marhi and Beas nullah, just below Rohtang pass, where they can see 5 to 10ft of rarely touched pure snow. Till now, tourists were allowed to go till Gulaba only and they had to hike on steep trails to reach the snow. Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said Border Roads Organization (BRO) was clearing snow from the highway with target to open Rohtang in first week of May but inclement weather has delayed work by a few days. “Fresh snowfall blocks the road again and again. BRO is working hard to resume traffic on the highway before election. Given the convenience of tourists and people of Lahaul, Pangi and Kullu, vehicles would be allowed to go till Marhi from Sunday,” he said. Yunus added that parking arrangement for about 400 vehicles has been made at Marhi after removing snow and efforts are on to double the capacity by Sunday. Only 600 vehicles would be allowed to go till Marhi on Sunday. Department of tourism has been asked to deploy a JCB machine to remove snow and increase parking capacity. “The permits to go to Marhi will be available online from Saturday. The permits for tourist vehicles can be obtained on website between 10am and 4pm. However, 600 permits for Sunday would be available in the afternoon. After this, permits for 1,300 tourist vehicles will be available every day and permit
Manali may witness a surge in tourism as Kullu administration on Friday announced to throw open Marhi, the summer snow point, for tourists from Sunday while Rohtang pass will also open for vehicular traffic in a few days. The officials informed that Rohtang will be opened for vehicular traffic before May 15. However, it may
