Shimla: Five persons were killed in two avalanches in tribal Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh even as it remained cut off for fifth day on Sunday due to heavy snowfall in past few days.
Three persons died in an avalanche in Kinnaur district last night, while two were killed when a snow laden tree fell on their house after being uprooted in another avalanche, official sources said.
Seven persons were also injured in the avalanches, following which the district administration issued an advisory asking people to stay indoors in wake of a fresh avalanche threat looming large in high reaches.
Vehicular traffic also could not be restored on the Hindustan-Tibet and Kiratpur-Manali National Highways which were blocked due to snowfall, sources added.
Kelong was the coldest place in the state with a minimum of minus 12.5 degrees, whereas Manali shivered at minus 6.2 degrees, six notches below normal, Met office said.
The minimum temperature in capital Shimla was recorded at zero degree and the maximum was 8.8 degrees Celsius, they added.
The minimum temperatures hovered around zero degree in Solan, Bhuntar, Sundernagar and Saluni as well. Water pipes were frozen at several places in mid and higher hills disrupting water supply.
A large number trees were uprooted in the snowstorm, severing power transmission lines. Half a dozen places in Shimla alone experienced power breakdowns.
Normal life remained affected in most parts of the state due to the disruption in electricity and water supply.
Normal life within tribal valleys of Lahaul, Spiti, Pangi, Kinnaur, Hangran, Pin and Sangla valleys has been completely paralysed due to heavy snowfall and the areas were covered under 1230 to 160 cm thick blanket of snow.
The mercury plummeted in most parts of the state after the snowfall even as weather remained dry and sun shone over large tracts of land.
The vehicular traffic to lower areas has been resumed from Shimla while Kufri, Narkanda, Nichar, Theog, Kharapatthar, Jubbal and Fagu were cut off by road and traffic to Rampur and Jhakri was being routed via Basantpur and Kingal.
The high altitude tribal areas remained frozen with minimum temperature staying between minus 18 and minus 26 degree celsius.
PTI
