One person at Kufri dies of cold
Shimla: The heaviest snowfall recorded in eight years brought life to a standstill in much of Himachal, with one person life limped to cope up with difficult cold conditions in the state capital with many tourists caught unprepared to face the rough weather conditions.
“In 24 hours, Shimla recorded 39 cm of snow,” said Manmohan Singh, director meteorological office. The last time is snowed heavily in January, it was in the year 2004, he added.
Dinesh Mahlotra, deputy commissioner Shimla said, the intense cold wave claimed one person’s life at Kufri and from Mashobra a pregnant tourist was rescued and admitted to hospital.
He said traffic on the Shimla-Kalka road had been restored by noon but it remained disrupted on the Shimla – Rampur highway as heavy machinery had been pressed into service to open the road at Kufri and Narkanda.
Traffic was being diverted to an alternate all weather road between Shimla and Rampur, on which buses had started plying, said Mahlotra.
Abhishek Dular, SP Shimla said that the heavy round of snow had left several houses and vehicles damaged.”
Morning supply of bread, milk and newspapers was affected which only reached vendors late in the afternoon, after snow cutters did manage to open up the main routes.
With electricity supply cut off, internet and mobile phone connectivity was also affected as batteries discharged out faster in the cold conditions.
The met office reported that Kapla in high altitude Kinnaur recorded 49 cms of snow, Manali, 36 and Keylong in Lahaul district had 11 cms of snow.
The lowest temperature in the state recorded was -7.8 degree Celsius at Kalpa and the highest was at 15.4 Celsius was recorded at Una.
Lower hills were lashed by incessant rains with Renuka recording 70 mm, Poanta Sahib 66, Dharamshala 64 and Kullu 41 mms of rain.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads the team of media professionals at Hill Post.
In a career spanning over two decades through all formats of journalism in Electronic, Print and Online Media, he brings with him enough experience to steer this platform. He lives in Shimla.
