Heavy snowfall hits normal life; several parts cut off in Himachal

Shimla: Shimla, the capital town of Himachal Pradesh and several other key tourists destinations of Kullu-Manali, Dalhousie, McLeodganj, Narkanda and higher hills of Chamba, beside tribal belt of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur experienced heavy snowfall throwing the life completely out of the gear in past 24 hours, official reports said.

Many parts of the state in the districts of Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur are cut off from rest of the world due to disruption of 1152 roads.

There is complete black-out in the interiors, almost half of Himachal Pradesh following snapping of electric lines and fallen trees on supply lines.

Hundreds of drinking water supply schemes have also been shut down. Freezing of drinking water pipes in Shimla town also left the citizens high and dry apart from electricity disruptions.

As par MeT reports, Shimla recorded 36 cms of snow. Some towns like Sundernagar in Mandi experienced snow after 25 years.

Reports of house collapse, caving in roads, uprooting of trees and skidding of vehicles on roads have been pouring in from all parts of the state.

Shimla which had experienced snowfall on Thursday had continued spell of the snowfall on Friday morning Citizens and tourists woke up to a surprise as town was under thick white blanket of snow in the morning.

Snowfall also brought some problems. There is no supply of milk, breads and eggs in the town.

The district administration and Shimla Municipal Corporation pressed the snow-clearance machinery in the midnight in view of the assembly session but could not ensure mobility of the vehicles on major roads till 12 noon.

The 84-year-old former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh got down from "Holly-Lodge", his private bungalow on foot and thereafter drove to the assembly from the nearest point. Several MLAs and some ministers used the Mall Road only to reach the assembly.