As the process of restoration of public utilities picks pace in the Himachal capital Shimla, the District administration has claimed that normalcy would be restored in the state capital by January 13.
Meanwhile, the District Administration’s failure to restore normalcy in the tourist town of Shimla is fast becoming a political issue in Himachal Pradesh with rival BJP training its guns at the ruling party.
Just about five days since heavy snowfall virtually froze life in the hill state, political activity is heating up with BJP firing a volley of charges on ruling party. Having targeted Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, BJP leaders have now started targeting the Congress legislatures, who could not bring respite to the people in their constituencies, even after the lapse of deadline set by the CM.
Accusing Congress legislator of Kasumpti, BJP Vice President Roopa Sharma alleged that one week after heavy snowfall Congress legislators Anirudh Singh could not made available the power, water and road services as he could not plead people’s woes to his own government.
Clear sky on the second consecutive day on Thursday brought some respite to the residents, with a marginal improvement in minimum and maximum temperature in the state capital. The work of restoration of public utilities picked up as the snow started melting on the slopes of the hills.
Though the freezing temperatures on Tuesday night had caused icicles in the region, the district administrative authorities on Thursday got into action mode with Deputy Commissioner Rohan Chand Thakur, visiting places from where problems were reported. Authorities claimed that 80 percent power supply had been restored to the households in Shimla while in Rampur and Rohru 90 percent domestic power supply had been restored.
The minimum temperature in Shimla, which received another minor spell of snow on Wednesday evening witnessed a little improvement with mercury touching -0.6 degrees Celsius, up from -3.2 degrees previous night.
While the temperature showed a little improvement in Shimla, it dipped further in another tourist destination Manali, where mercury dipped to -7.2 on Wednesday night. Keylong in lahaul-Spiti district remained coldest in the state and recorded a night temperature of -14.9 degrees Celsius.
Since the Meteorology department has predicted more snow on this weekend, Chief Secretary V C Pharka has directed the administrative authorities to take preventive and remedial steps to deal with the circumstances in future.
Pharka directed the I&PH, Health and MC, Shimla to take necessary steps to prevent water borne diseases due to heavy snowfall and rains. He asked the officers concerned to issue Health Advisory through media including H.P. Kisan and other SMS Gateways regarding weather forecast and use of drinking water. While the two sunny days have helped residents to take to their routine, Manmohan Singh, Director, Meteorology department has said that western disturbances are expected to cause snowfall in medium and high ranges in Himachal Pradesh on January 15 and 16.