N Singh Mehta
Heavy snow falling for the last two days in Himachal Pradesh has disrupted normal life with essential services remain suspended in some parts of the state, causing problems to people in harsh and cruel wintry climate.
Snowfall occurred at higher places in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Shimla, Solan and Sirmour districts in Himachal Pradesh.
Shimla, the capital of state,remained today cut off from rest of the state with tonnes of snow accumulating on the roads leading to all outstations.
The capital city was cloaked in one foot of snow spread around on roads and hills. Traffic in and out from the city remain suspended due to snow hindering the movement of the vehicles. For few hours, many parts of the city faced power outages, causing people to shiver in the chilling cold.
Water supply too was disrupted in some places in the town.
Fearing trapping of the tourists or locals in the snow, Shimla police had issued advisory to the people advising them not to venture on snowy roads which could invite them miseries on treacherous and sliding roads.
Snow has hampered the traffic on 671 roads in Himachal Pradesh including 3 national highways and one state highway.
Shimla- Rampur national highway was blocked at two places by heavy snow, Kufri and Narkanda. Between Shimla and Rohru and Shimla and Chopal too, vehicles could not ply as road was hit by heavy snow at Kupri and Khidaki.
In various parts of the snow prone districts across the state, 1486 electricity supply schemes got snapped by the snowfall, leaving people without light in the severe chilly winter.
Snow also disrupted 171 water supplies schemes, leaving people of these regions without drinking water.
The snowing stopped in the evening with sky becoming crystal clear.
The forecast shows clear weather for next three days, then followed by a weak Western Disturbance which could bring rains or snow from 7 to 9 February in higher regions of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla IMD said today.
The minimum temperatures are below normal by 2 to 3 degree Celsius across the state while maximum temperatures are below normal between 5 to 6 degree Celsius, confirmed the incharge Shimla IMD.