Shimla receives first heavy snowfall of the season

Shimla: Shimla and its surrounding areas experienced first snowfall of the season while tribal areas and other hills in Himachal Pradesh are experiencing continuous heavy snowfall since this morning.

The state capital was lashed by strong winds accompanied by showers this morning and heavy snowfall started in the town as the day advanced.

Shimla town received 18 cm of snow while Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda, Kharapatthar Chopal, Haripurdhar and Nauradhar received 20 cm to 35 cm of snow.

The maximum temperature which had soared during past few days, plummeted and dropped by six to ten degree Celsius.

Shimla town, covered under thick blanket of snow presented a fascinating look while the 5 km stretch between Kufri and Fagu looked like a white lake.

The adjoining resorts of Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda, Chharabra and Chopal, Jubbal, Kharapatthar, Dodra Kwar and other areas in the interiors of Shimla district are also experiencing snowfall.

The high altitude tribal areas and other higher hills and mountain passes are experiencing continuous heavy snowfall and Rohtang, Kunzam, Chansel and Saach passes have received 40 cm to 50 cm of snow till noon while Churdhar ranges in Sirmaur and Dhauladhar ranges in Kangra recorded 45 cm of snow.

Palchang, Kothi, Mari and Rani Nallah in Kullu received heavy snow while Keylong had 20 cm of snow.

Hindustan Tibet National Highway was blocked beyond Shimla due to snow and hundreds of vehicles were stranded due to traffic jams caused by snow.

Bus services to upper Shimla region have been suspended while in Rampur buses have been diverted via Basantpur and Kingal.

The mid and lower hills had widespread rains and Dharamshala recorded 47 mm of rain till 8.30 AM while Chamba had 23 mm followed by Gaggal 19 mm, Jogindernagar 17 mm, Sarkaghat 15 mm, Manali 14 mm and Baijnath 13 mm.

The local MeT office has predicted rains or snow at many places in mid and higher hills for next five days.