The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Monday, January 28, 2002, Chandigarh, India

THE TRIBUNE SPECIALS

50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

TERCENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

M A I N N E W S

Heavy snow disrupts life in HP
Snowfall in Kasauli after 5 years
Tribune Reporters

Shimla, January 27
Normal life in the hill state was completely disrupted as heavy snow and rain continued to lash the region for the second day today.

While Shimla, Manali and Dalhousie recorded the heaviest snowfall of the season, some lower areas like Solan, Chail and Barog experienced the first snowfall. The lower and upper areas of the town received 15 cm to 25 cm of snowfall. Mount Jakhoo, the highest peak in the town, recorded 30 cm of snowfall.

The nearby tourist resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Shali Tibba were under knee-deep snow. Narkanda, Kharapathar and other higher areas of Shimla district had received 60 cm of snowfall by this evening and the Hatoo peak overlooking Narkanda was covered with a-100 cm thick white blanket. The heavy snow has revived the possibility of skiing in Narkanda.

The internationally famous ski slopes at Solang Nullah had received 120 cm of snowfall, while Manali was under 25 cm of snowfall. McLeodganj in Dharamsala had the second snowfall of the season.

The tribal districts of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti reeled under intense cold as heavy snow continued for the third consecutive day. The minimum temperature in Kaza plunged to minus 28°C the lowest of the season.

Heavy snow blocked the 320-km Hindustan-Tibet highway at several places. Kinnaur and upper parts of Shimla district beyond the state capital, including Chopal, Thanedhar, Rohroo and Jubbal-Kotkhai were cut off. The people of these areas had to go without milk, bread, vegetables and other items of daily use. The Rampur-bound buses were diverted via the Dhami-Basantpur road. The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) plied one bus service to Rohroo via Nahan. While the flow of the traffic on the Shimla-Chandigarh highway was normal, the circular road skirting the main town was opened by the evening.

Hundreds of tourists who have converged on the state capital from the nearby plains to enjoy snow were delighted to see the hills donning an impeccable white mantle. The thick white layer covering the trees, roofs and the ground transformed the landscape virtually into a fairyland. A festive atmosphere prevailed on the Ridge and the Mall as winter revellers had fun exchanging snowballs, having photo sessions and some of them trying to make snowmen.

The lower areas, including Bilaspur, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra experienced heavy rain. The heavy snowfall has raised hopes for a good apple crop.

KASAULI: Cheer filled residents as the town and the surrounding areas received the season’s first snowfall on Sunday afternoon. Spreading a white mantle over the entire landscape, it brought festivity with the residents coming out to play in the snow.

The town had snowfall after a gap of five years. It proved to be a blessing for the weekend revellers from Chandigarh and the surrounding areas who had rushed to the town hoping for a snow fall.

MANALI: The entire Manali region experienced fresh snow while the lower areas of the valley had widespread rain on Sunday. The heavy snowfall on the 14,000-foot-high Bhrigu slopes, the 14,084-foot-high Hamta slopes and the 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass brought cheers to the faces of heli ski lovers who have been camping here for heli-skiing.

In Manali tourists ventured out to enjoy the snow.

The famous ski slopes of Solang Nullah, Kothi, Gulaba and Dhundi also experinced fresh snow.

Traffic remained suspended on the Manali-Kothi and the Manali-Kulu (left bank) route between Manali and Naggar.

MANDI: The Mandi region has had a heavy snowfall. It started snowing on Saturday night and continued till Sunday morning in the higher reaches of Mandi and the adjoining districts.

Rohanda, Pandar, Nihri, and Bandli were covered under a thick sheet of snow when people woke up in the morning. Heavy snowfall has been reported from Janjehli, Shikari Devi, Gadagusaini and the Chuhar valley.

The high-altitude lakes in this district like Kamru Nag, Prashar and Dehna Sar have reportedly been buried under several feet of snow.

Traffic, telecommunications and power supply have been partially affected due to the snowfall.