HP: Fresh snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti leads to closing of roads, 70 rescued from Keylong

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh District administration on Friday rescued around 70 people from Keylong, through Rohtang tunnel to Manali, who were stuck after closing of roads due to fresh snowfall in Lahaul-Spiti region.

According to the meteorological department, the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall while other parts of the state witnessed light rainfall due to a western disturbance.

Lahaul-Spiti, higher reaches of Kullu, Mandi and Chamba districts experienced light to moderate snowfall and some other areas of the state received light rainfall, Director of Shimla Meteorological Centre Manmohan Singh said.

He added that snowfall in the higher reaches and rain at other places is likely to occur on Saturday too.

Keylong Sub Divisional Magistrate Amar Negi said that Rohtang received one feet snowfall while Keylong, the district headquarter of Lahaul-Spiti district, received six inches of snowfall.

Bus services in Lahaul-Spiti were suspended as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incidents, deputy commissioner Ashwani Chaudhary said.

A special bus was run to help the people, who were stranded in various parts of the district due to the snowfall, to reach Manali.

The administration urged the people to avoid stepping out of their homes, especially in the higher reaches.

In September end, the Indian Air Force (IAF) had rescued at least 32 people from parts of Himachal Pradesh which were reeling under adverse weather conditions.

Heavy showers had hit Himachal Pradesh following which landslides were reported in several parts of the state with many roads getting blocked. Rivers in the state were also flowing at danger levels with authorities on high alert.

(With inputs from agencies)