M A I N   N E W S

Upper reaches of Kashmir, Himachal have snow
Manali-Leh highway blocked
M.C. Thakur

Manali, October 10
Inclement weather conditions, persisting for the past two days, worsened this morning with 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass experiencing season’s second snowfall this morning. The snowfall was continuing till the filing of the report .

The Manali-Rohtang road has become inaccessible by vehicles beyond Marhi, about 35 km from here, hitting the transportation of potatoes from the Lahaul valley. This is the peak season for potatoes. Everyday hundreds of trucks ply between the Lahaul valley and Manali carrying potatoes.

According to Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation sources, all buses on their way from Manali to the Lahaul-Spiti Valley stopped near Marhi and had to return to Manali. Only one bus, on its way from Dharamsala to Trilokinath, crossed over Rohtang Pass early this morning.

The Manali-Kaza road in the Spiti valley also remained blocked due to fresh snow fall on the Kunjum Pass. The 485-km Manali-Leh highway, the lifeline of Lahaul-Spiti and the Leh Ladhak region was also closed to vehicular traffic due to fresh snowfall on Baralacha, Lachlang-la and Tanglang-la.

The entire higher reaches in the upper Manali region experienced fresh snow bringing a chill in air.

According to the Manali Taxi Operators Union, all taxis halted between Marhi and Rahni Nullah, 38 km from Manali, and had to return. Marhi and Beas nullah witnessed heavy rush of tourists who enjoyed the snowfall.

Hamirpur correspondent adds: Heavy rain lashed various parts of the Hamirpur district on Sunday morning bring temperature down sharply. It continued for more than four hours.

Meanwhile, entire district continued to be in grip of severe cold. Icy cool waves were sweeping across the region. The rain and drop in temperatures has compelled the people to take out their light woollens.

SHIMLA: Shimla and its adjoining areas reeled under cold wave conditions following intermittent rain during the past 12 hours, which dipped the temperature considerably in the capital town.

The capital town recorded 4.1 mm rain till this noon, Sunder Nagar received 2 mm rain while Bhunter recorded 1.8 mm rain, it was raining till the filing of this reports.

Upper areas of Shimla district, including tourist places of Wild Flower Hall, Kufri, Naldehra and Narkanda and the key tourist resort of Manali in Kulu district were also under the impact of cold wave following rains.

Certain mid hills and lower areas, including Solan district experienced rain.

SRINAGAR: Upper reaches in the Kashmir valley experienced fresh snowfall while the plains had heavy rains disrupting normal life.

Official sources said upper reaches of Gulmarg, border area of Keran, Karnah, Nowgam and Gurez had fresh snowfall since Saturday evening.

Reports said it was snowing at the upper reaches of Sonamarg and Baltal, the base camp for Amarnath pilgrimage.

About two feet of snowfall had been experienced at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath while six inches to one feet of snow was recorded at Sheshnag, Mahaguns and Pisso Top since last evening.

Life was disrupted in Sringar and other plain areas due to rains as well as power breakdown since the early hours on Sunday.