Himachal Weather: Several people rushed to Manali after fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh to celebrate Christmas and New Year, leading to huge traffic congestion in the hill station on Monday. Visuals surfaced online showed vehicles stuck in traffic even at night.
Around 1,000 vehicles got stuck and tourists were trapped in their cars for hours between Solang and Atal Tunnel, Rohtang after fresh snowfall on Monday. Around 700 tourists were safely relocated to secure areas, PTI reported quoting officials. The weather department has issued a cold wave to severe cold wave warning for Himachal Pradesh. According to IMD, cold wave to severe cold wave conditions are very likely in some parts of Himachal Pradesh till December 26 (Thursday).
30 Roads Closed Due To Snowfall
The snow led to the closure of 30 roads, including the national highways between Attari and Leh, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur district and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti district, the State Emergency Operation Centre said.
A maximum of 17 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by six in Kangra, three in Una, two in Lahaul and Spiti, and one each in Kullu and Chamba districts. Six transformers were also disrupted.
Tabo was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Sumdo (minus 5.3 degrees), Kukumseri (minus 3.7 degrees) and Kalpa (minus 2.5 degrees).
There was a marked fall in maximum temperatures. Una recorded the highest day temperature of 16.8 degrees Celsius.
Police in Lahaul and Spiti advised tourists to avoid travelling from Kaza to Losar, Kaza to Kibber, Kaza to Komic and Langcha, Kaza to Demul and Kaza to Sangam.
A 'yellow' warning was issued for dense fog over parts of the Bhakra dam reservoir area and the Balh Valley in Mandi from Tuesday to Thursday.