MANALI: Recent snowfall has proved boon to the tourism in Manali where tourists have thronged for both sun and snow. While most parts of Manali are covered with blanket of snow, crystal clear sky on Wednesday lured tourists to bask in the warmth of the sun.
Not only snow but tourists are heading the hill state for clear sky and the sun. While Rohtang pass, which is covered under over 20ft of snow, will open in May for tourists, road to Solang valley has become motorable. Deposit of snow and ice on road near Solang has made driving risky but hundreds of tourists managed to reach here on Wednesday. Over 2ft of snow filled them with joy and thrill.
A tourist said that the view of Manali is no less than that in Europe. “Only problem is with infrastructure, especially roads and electricity. We enjoyed the whole day at Solang. We tried hand at skiing. The view is inexpressible when entire valley is covered with snow and its completely sunny day. We live in Mumbai from where our country looks completely different.”
According to hoteliers, many tourists are coming to see snowfall after watching the weather forecast. A hotelier said many of the guests told him that they made plan to visit Manali as there was snowfall alert in the state. “Tourists are very smart. Earlier people from plains used to spend days to try their luck in watching snowfall. Now they have weather forecast available in pocket in smart phones.”
More snowfall likely from Thursday
The active western disturbance is like to bring more snowfall to Himachal hills and tourist towns of Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie from today as weatherman has issued alert four days weather alert for the state.
“Mid and high hills of state may receive rain and snow while low hills may experience thundershowers or rain from January 10 to 13. Chances for rain and snowfall are high on Friday and Saturday,” Meteorological centre, Shimla, director Dr Manmohan Singh said.
Temperature in state has again dipped with Keylong recording lowest temperature at minus 11 degrees C. Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded minimum temperature of minus 7 degrees C and it was minus 4 degrees C in Manali. State capital Shimla and Dharamshala recorded lowest night temperature of 3.4 and 2.2 degrees C respectively.
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