M A I N   N E W S

Snow and rain break dry spell
Tribune Reporters and UNI

Chandigarh, November 16
Renewed spells of snow in forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir and far-flung areas of Himachal Pradesh during the past 48 hours, besides drizzles and light rain, ended an almost two-month-long dry spell in the north-west region, besides causing a sharp fall in the mercury.

Reports here said several places in the border area, including Karen sector, were having renewed spells of snow since last night. The higher reaches of Dras, Pharkian, Haddenta, Panth reported 2 to 6 cm of snowfall by 8.30 am today.

The higher reaches of Gulmarg in the Kashmir valley and Patsio, beyond Manali in HP, had snow. Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort, recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.5°C. Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, reported a low of 5.5°C.

SHIMLA: The hill state came in the grip of severe cold following widespread snow and rain in the region over the past 24 hours.

According to reports reaching here, the higher reaches of the Kinnaur, Lahual and Spiti, Kulu and Shimla had incessant snow since last night and the mid and lower hills experienced intermittent showers.

The Hatoo peak, Narkanda, Chanshal slopes and Shali Tibba had the first snowfall of the season. Kufri, Fagu and some other areas were lashed by sleet.

The city and the surrounding areas experienced intermittent rain accompanied by high velocity winds, which brought down the minimum temperature to the freezing point. The streets wore a deserted look as intense cold kept people indoors.

MANALI: The 13,050-ft high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul-Spiti, experienced the season’s first snowfall while lower parts of the region were lashed by rain, snapping the road link between Manali and Lahaul-Spiti on Sunday. The 485 km-long Manali-Leh highway, the lifeline of Lahaul-Spiti and the Leh-Ladakh region, was closed to vehicular traffic following heavy snow at Baralacha Pass (4,883 metres) Lachlangla (5,605 metres), and Tanglangla (5,328 metres). Due to heavy snow at Kunzum Pass (4,551 metres), the Manali-Kaza road in the Spiti valley also remained closed.

Due to fresh snow in the higher reaches of the Pir Panjal ranges, Chanderkhani Pass, Brighu slopes, Hampta Pass, Marhi meadows, Gulaba slopes, Kothi, Dhundi and the Solang valley, the Manali region remained in the grip of a severe cold wave.

PALAMPUR: The upper reaches of Dhauladhar in the Palampur region on Sunday experienced the season’s first snowfall while the lower reaches were lashed by intermittent rain, resulting in a considerable fall in the temperature.

The Bara Bhangal area of the region had light to heavy snow. According to reports reaching here, 30 cm of snowfall was recorded at Thasarpass while 20 cm of snowfall, was recorded at Rajgundha.

Meanwhile, vehicular traffic to the Kothi Kohar and Bara Gram areas remained suspended because of heavy snow on the road at different points.

KUMARHATTI: The town and the surrounding tourist resorts of Dagshai, Barog and Kasauli had intermittent rain on Sunday. Residents preferred to remain indoors because of the cold wave.