Manali: Much to the delight of tourists, Manali and its adjoining areas received this season’s first snowfall, bringing cheers among the local hoteliers and the farming fraternity.
It’s after many years that Manali would be experiencing a White Christmas.
The valley resort township has been experiencing snowfall since yesterday evening which at place has accumulated to over 14 inches, whereas the higher reaches like Kothi, Burwa, Shanag and Majach villages have much more.
Rohtang Pass, the high mountain pass that has closed for winter passing, is reported to have recorded more than 4 feet of snow.
The lower areas of Kullu valley are witnessing incessant rainfall, bringing the mercury down by many degrees and intensifying the cold wave in the entire region.
Mean while, this timely snowfall has brought cheers among hotel owners and other associated with the hospitality sector as now they expect to attract more tourist footfalls for Christmas and New Year holiday season.
Sunil Sharma, resort manager at Holiday Inn, Manali said “lots of people were making enquiries about likely snowfall during Christmas and New Year time and now we are very hopeful to get a decent arrivals which would help to improve the sagging tourism Industry of Manali”.
On the other hand, Vishveshwar Dutt, an orchardist from Haripur village said “this snowfall is a great boon to horticulture as it will provide necessary moisture to the parched lands.
The heavy Snowfall at Rohtang Pass, the gateway to landlocked Lahaul valley, has cut off the only road connectivity to the regions for the next four to five months.
Traffic to Manali town on national highway 21 till was plying normally and so was it on the left bank road.
Photo by Vikramjeet Singh Thakur
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
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