Himachal: Atal Tunnel closed after heavy snowfall at Rohtang

Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh left 176 roads, including four national highways, blocked on Friday

Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh left 176 roads, including four national highways, blocked on Friday.

The Manali-Leh highway was closed after heavy snowfall at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, on Friday. Heavy snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh left 176 roads, including four national highways, blocked. (HT file photo)

The Manali-Leh highway was closed after heavy snowfall at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, while the Darcha-Shinku La and Udaipur-Killar roads were also blocked.

State Disaster Management Authority director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said 137 roads were closed for traffic in Lahaul-Spiti district and 26 in Kinnaur district.

Police issued an advisory, urging people to avoid unnecessary travel after the higher reaches of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts experienced heavy snowfall overnight. Manali deputy superintendent of police Hem Chand Verma said there was around 3-ft snow at the north and south portals of Atal Tunnel, while Solang Valley and Kothi barrier got more than a foot of snow. Verma said vehicles would be allowed till Nehru Kund beyond Manali and the road till Palchan is open for four-wheel drive.

According to the meteorological department, Kothi in Kullu got the state’s highest 35cm of snowfall, while Gondla in Lahaul-Spiti recorded 25cm of snowfall and the district’s administrative centre, Keylong, received 23cm of snowfall, Kukumseri 21.4cm and Hansa 10cm.

Kalpa got 7cm of snowfall, Khadrala 2.7cm and Pooh and Shilaru 2cm each.

POWER OUTAGE IN REMOTE AREAS

Power supply was disrupted in the remote areas of the state with 470 transformers affected due to heavy snowfall, Mokhta said. As many as 268 transformers needed to be repaired in Chamba district alone. Besides, 130 transformers in Lahaul-Spiti, 40 in Kullu and 30 in Kinnaur were out of order.

Ten water supply schemes were also hit.

MODERATE TO HEAVY SHOWERS IN MID HILLS

The tourist resort of Manali was the wettest place in the state as it got 38mm of rainfall followed by Bharmour with 19.1mm, Banjar 18mm, Seohbag 15.2mm, Chamba 10.5mm and Kalpa 10.2mm.

The average minimum temperatures were above normal with Keylong being the coldest, recording a low of -3.5º Celsius. Kukumseri shivered at -1.5ºC, Kalpa -0.4ºC and Narkanda -0.2ºC.

Dalhousie, Kufri and Manali recorded a minimum temperature of 1.6ºC, 2.2ºC and 2.6ºC, respectively. State capital Shimla recorded a low of 5.6ºC.