In Himachal Pradesh, Cold wave conditions further intensified following rain and snowfall in many parts of the state for the last two days. The high altitude areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu and Shimla districts received heavy snowfall whereas several other areas of the state witnessed rain.
AIR correspondent reports that the entire state is reeling under severe cold wave condition following rain and snowfall. Tourist destinations Kufri, Narkanda and Kharapathar in Shimla district have also experienced heavy snowfall. Due to heavy snow, many circuit roads connecting villages in high hills have also been disrupted.
In Kinnaur and Lahul Spiti district, the telecommunication and electricity supply has been snapped at many places.
Personnel’s from district administration have been deployed to restore power supply and road connectivity.
Following rain and snowfall, the maximum temperature has decreased by 7 to 8 degrees Celsius during the last 24 hour.
In the wake of fresh snowfall major tourist spots, Manali and Kufri have been flooded with tourist.
Meanwhile Met department has forecast more rain and heavy snowfall at isolated places of high and middle hills of the state today as well.
In Ladakh, Kargil District experienced fresh snowfall which has led to slippery Road Condition. Traffic remained suspended particularly in Kargil town.
The Kargil Srinagar Road has been closed for vehicular traffic due to heavy snowfall at Zojjila and Kargil Zanskar Highway is also closed.
More than 300 Passengers of Kargil Ladakh, have been stranded at Sonamarg and the same number of passengers were stranded in Kargil also.
The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur called an emergency meeting of the top officials yesterday to immediately assign a Nodal Officer from Kargil House in Srinagar to look into the welfare of the stranded passengers.
The Administration of UT Ladakh wrote to the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to revisit the decision of closing the Zojila Pass before time and take steps to reopen the road so that stranded passengers can be facilitated and move from both sides of Zojila.
In addition, MoD and the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been requested to intervene and provide immediate sorties of IL 76 to evacuate the stranded passengers by air.
Our correspondent reports that snowfall in November, December and January are good for summer crops as the snow remains longer and recharge the springs properly.