MANALI: Following heavy snowfall in parts of Kullu and Lahaul, there is threat of avalanches and landslides for next few days.
While three avalanches in Lahaul near Udaipur created panic among the residents on Tuesday, two vehicles were hit by a massive landslide near Khalara nullah in Lag valley of Kullu on Wednesday.
Three persons, Aman (21), Roshan Lal (21) and Kapil (27), all residents of Peej village sustained injuries while five others saved their lives by running on the road. Victimes had come to join a wedding party next to the accident spot. Injured were shifted to hospital. No casualty was reported.
Entire Manali received overnight heavy snowfall that lasted till Wednesday morning. While some parts of the state saw some sunshine till afternoon, snowfall started in some parts in the evening time.
The snow accumulation in upper Manali villages has reached over 90cm, posing serious threat of avalanches. Solang valley and Kothi have received over 90cm of snow in last 48 hours. Manali town received 30cm more snow.
Dalhousie in Chamba received over 60cm of snow in last 48 hours. All roads in Dalhousie and Khajjiar are lying blocked. Over 45cm snow in Shimla disrupted the normal life. Power supply and traffic was partially paralyzed in Shimla. Kufri near Shimla has received 55cm of snow. Kinnaur has also donned a thick blanket of snow.
Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded 40cm snow. 33cm more snow added to the thickness of existing snow in Keylong. Despite this, tourists are having fun in snow in Himachal.
Over 75cm of snow on Jalori pass has disconnected Anni sub-division from district headquarters Kullu. Hundreds of villages of state still have no connection with the district headquarters.
Residents of Manali villages removed snow from their roofs all the day. The traditional houses with slate roofs need to clear snow from roofs to prevent the whole roof from collapsing.
Most parts of Manali had no power supply since Tuesday night. According to officials, snow has snapped the power cables. No electricity has left many shivering in cold. Over 250 roads were blocked by snow while hundreds of vehicles have stuck in snow in state.
Snow had blocked Kullu-Manali national highway which was opened in the afternoon. Roads beyond Manali are still blocked and administration had deployed machines to clear the snow. As vehicles were slipping on the snow, all the roads leading to Manali witnessed worst traffic jams since Tuesday afternoon.
Both Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti administrations have asked people to stay alert in next few days. Lahaul-Spiti administration has is already on an alert given the possibilities of avalanches.
Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus said the remote villages of Kullu have received heavy snow. “People in higher areas are requested to stay alert. JCB machines have been pressed into service to clear the snow from roads,” he said.
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