Severe cold wave conditions in north gained intensity once again with fresh snowfall in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, including popular tourist destinations of Shimla and Manali.
The snowfall started late on Sunday evening and intensified on Monday morning, bringing the State capital Shimla to sub-zero temperature. It was recorded -0.3 at night, just after remaining above zero for two nights. The normal to heavy snow resulted in traffic snarls and road blocks in the state capital in the morning hours, but the situation was eased by the after noon.
Shimla got about 15 centimetre snow on Monday, resulting in blockades at many roads, but as the administration had taken preventive steps earlier, the snow from the road were cleared soon. The high reaches in the state received 30 to 40 cm of snow.
Hindustan Tibet National highway between Kufri and Narkanda got closed due to snow. Power supply got affected in some parts of the town but was restored in most of the areas by the noon. Though the administration’s quick response prevented major disruptions in the state capital, but the meteorological forecast indicates that the weather conditions may worsen in Shimla and other parts of the State as the higher reaches may get more snow in the coming 2-3 days.
The road in areas ahead of Dhalli in Shimla remained closed on Monday and will not be fit for vehicular traffic before noon on Tuesday, if there is no more snowfall in the night. Some roads at Chopal, Narkanda, Rohru remained functional.
Chief Secretary VC Pharka reviewed the progress on restoration of roads, water and electricity supply on Monday and directed to work on war-footing for opening of all the temporarily blocked roads due to snowfall and to ensure proper supply of water and electricity.
Kalpa remained under zero degree temperature for more than 24 hours, as it recorded -3 at night and the mercury could not rise above -1.4 degrees on Monday.
Falling in line with the forecast of Meteorology department, Himachal Pradesh got snow or rain at most of the places in the State. While Bharmaur in Chamba got 45 centimetre snowfall, Kothi 38 cm, Manali 21 cm, Udaipur in lahaul Spitit 17.8 cm, Theog in Shimla 15 cm, Saloni in Chamba 15 cm, Mashobra in Shimla 12.2 cm, Keylong in lahaul Spiti 10 cm, and Kalpa nine cm.
Taking lessons from the miseries of the snowfall last week, which the District Administration had faced due to heavy snowfall in Shimla, the administration on Monday responded quickly to the deal with the snowfall, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Rohan Chand Thakur said the administration was taking all necessary steps to restored the road, power, water and supply of essentials in snow bound areas .
Deputy Commissioner claimed vehicular traffic was moving as the snow cutters were put to clear roads of snow. He also said that the power supply remained uninterrupted in the city area.