Shimla, Chail witness heavy snow; 147 roads blocked in Himachal

Shimla/Solan, January 24

Shimla and its surroundings have been experiencing snow since Saturday night. Locals got up on Sunday to see the town draped in white.

The hotel industry is pinning hopes on a good season as the tourist inflow is expected to increase after the snow.

Snow also lashed Chail in Solan as the entire place was covered in a white mantle. This is the season’s second snow in Chail.

Till Saturday evening, 147 roads – 108 in Lahaul and Spiti, 24 in Mandi, eight in Kullu, five in Chamba and one each in Shimla and Sirmaur district – were closed and with fresh snow, the number is likely to go up.

Shimla Police have requested the commuters not to go to higher altitude areas and contact 0177 2812 344 or 112 in case of an emergency.

Snow is continuing in Shimla and adjoining areas. Upper Shimla region is cut off and supply of essential commodities was hit.

Deputy Commissioner Aditya Negi said the roads to the IGMC and other hospitals are being cleared on priority and major roads in the town would be open for vehicular movement by 10 am in case the snow stopped.

JCBs have been deployed at Mashobra diversion, Kufri stretch, Narkanda, Khidki and other vulnerable spots but snow is obstructing the road clearing operations, he added.