Shimla, February 12
Avalanches threaten the higher reaches in the tribal belt following a heavy snowfall in the hills of Himachal Pradesh early this morning.

Shimla town had the season’s heaviest snowfall which was nearly 35 cm in the Jakhoo area. The snowfall, which started last evening, continued till early this morning covering the town with a thick white mantle.

The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) has warned that avalanches might trigger in the upper areas when the weather clears. These areas had about 3 metres of snowfall.

Life in the interior areas of the district was completely paralysed as almost all roads beyond the Dhalli tunnel here remained closed because of snow. Bus services were suspended as the road was slippery at many places. Many roads in the town were covered with snow as the authorities failed to deploy labourers for removing it in some areas.

Reports said Theog, Kotkhai, Jubbal,Chopal,Narkanda and the Dhauladhars had a heavy snowfall.

HAMIRPUR: Normal life has come to a near standstill in various parts of the district due to heavy rains on Tuesday morning and Monday night. The district is in grip of severe cold waves sweeping across the region. Attendance in the schools was poor as it was difficult for the junior students to reach their schools braving the cold waves and constant rains.

The rains have also helped the Department of Irrigation and Public Health to ease the water situation in the coming months as the sources are full with water.

Reports of heavy damage to the roads have also been received from almost all parts of the district. The Dharamsala-Shimla highway, passing through Hamirpur, has developed potholes.

MANALI: The entire upper Manali region experienced a fresh spell of snow while the lower parts of the region have been receiving rain since Monday evening renewing the cold wave in the region.

The famous ski slopes of the Solang valley, Kothi, including Hamta ski slopes and Bhrigu slopes, also experienced fresh snow.

MANDI: Heavy snowfall has been continuing intermittently in the higher reaches of Mandi region since Sunday as a result of which the region is in the grip of severe cold wave. Reports received here said over 90 cm of snow had been recorded in Kamrunag, Prashar and Shikaridevi — the highest ranges in the district. This is the sixth snowfall this winter. Not a flake of snow had fallen last winter.