The first heavy snowfall of this season has covered several parts of Lahaul- Spiti district with a thick blanket of snow, affecting normal life and traffic in the district, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded.
The weather took a turn in the tribal districts of Lahaul – Spiti and Chamba – Pangi and on higher reaches during the past 24 hours leading to snowfall.
According to an update from the Lahaul- Spiti district administration, “ Heavy snowfall was reported from Shinkula Pass, Keylong, Sissu , Zispa , Baralacha , Kunzum and Koksar, Keylong was covered with 8 cm snow on Thursday.”
“The traffic in the district remained suspended as the Darcha-Sarchu stretch on the Manali-Leh highway, the Darcha-Shinkula stretch on the Darcha-Shinkula-Padum road, and the Gramphu-Batal stretch on the Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway remained closed due to snowfall”, as per the update.
The north postal of the Atal tunnel near Sissu and the south portal of the tunnel were covered with a blanket of snow.
Hundreds of tourist vehicles were stuck in the district as roads turned slippery, the district police have rescued stranded tourists from Rupang nullah near Keylong.
The district police have issued an advisory to tourists not to travel on slippery roads covered with heavy snow; the road beyond Darcha pass has also been closed and only 4×4 vehicles have been allowed on the roads on higher reaches.
The police advised people to contact the emergency helpline 112 or the District Police Control Room in Keylong at 89880-92298 for assistance.
Snowfall was also reported from the Pangi valley and higher reaches of Chamba district, while rainfall was also reported at many places in the state.
(With inputs from PTI)
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