A white morning greeted the queen of hills, Shimla, bringing cheers to residents and tourists as the capital town received its first moderate snowfall. Tourists thronged to the Mall Road and The Ridge to enjoy the snow.
Hoteliers have cheered up with the snowfall in the hope that tourists will come in large numbers on the New Year’s Eve. So are the orchidists happy as they feel snowfall at this time will be good for apples.
Supply of essential items to areas beyond Dhalli was affected as Upper Shimla area was cut off due to snow. Kharapathar received 6 inches of snow followed by Kufri and Khidki four inches, each, and Narkanda 2 inches, while roads in Shimla city are slippery.
Even Dharampur in Solan district experienced snowfall. So did picturesque tourist resorts Kasauli and Chail in the district.
Nankhri and Sarahan are still experiencing snowfall.
A large number of link roads are blocked in Rampur, Rohru and Chopal subdivisions and vehicular movement towards Shimla from Rampur has been diverted through Basantpur.
The roads in Shimla are slippery and the police have advised the commuters to avoid travelling on Tutu, Chhota Shimla, Mashobra, Dhalli, Sanjauli, Lakkar Bazaar and Naubhar areas.
The snow clearing operations are going on at Dhalli – Kufri – Mashobra diversion and as such vehicles are not plying to Kufri.
Three HRTC buses are struck at Darkali, Bahli and Suradbangla area of Subdivision. Power transmission was snapped in some areas.
Hospitals roads are being cleared on priority, machines and manpower have been deployed for clearing the roads while mechanics are on the ground at Narkanda to help the tourists, said Shimla ASP Praveeer Thakur.
Likewise, Manali and its uphill Solang ski slopes and Kalpa, 250 km from the state capital, saw snowfall.
Light snow is likely to continue in Shimla, Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and higher reaches of Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts, local Met office said.
The western disturbances are expected to recede by December 29, and the weather would be dry after that.
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