Manali turned into a white blanket due to recent snowfall at the onset of winters that brought excitement to the tourists but added to the locals’ woes.
Pretty much the go-to place because of the beauty of the hills, cold weather and off beat treks, Himachal Pradesh attracts a lot of tourists during the winter months due to the snowfall they can experience. But this time around Himachal Pradesh experienced snowfall that has brought some part of the state to its knees. While the tourists are elated because of the snowfall, but the locals are troubled as traffic has been disrupted due to heavy snowfall and roads have been blocked.
In fact, the vital route between Solang and Atal Tunnel’s south portal in Dhundi that connects to Lahaul Valley has been closed hence cutting off the valley. The other routes that have been barricaded due to snow are Koksar-Kaza, Manali-Leh, Darcha-Shinkula, Manali-Rohtang and many other major routes.
According to Lahaul-Spiti SP Manav Verma the travellers in the Lahaul valley were asked to camp at Atal Tunnel overnight as traffic stopped at the snow-bound south portal of the tunnel.
Higher reaches like Shimla, Baghi, Solang, Kasol and Tissa also received snowfall. 14th of November morning saw fresh snow cover on the higher mountain in Spiti valley of Keylong, Pangi, Solang Nalla. In all five districts of Himachal Pradesh has experienced light to moderate snowfall.
Although temperature has dropped in the past 24 hours, according to IMD Head, Himachal Pradesh Surender Paul, it is expected to drop even lower. According to the data provided by the India Meteorology Department in Shimla, the Keylong region in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the lowest temperature at -2.3°Celsius. On the other hand, Kaza in Kinnaur recorded -0.2°Celsius during the past 24 hours.
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) are working tenaciously to ensure clearing and restarting road connectivity between Manali and Lahaul.
Now, we have to wait and watch, by when can the road connectivity resume for several routes and the blockades are removed.
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