Manali:Rohtang Pass and its nearby places at Gulaba, Solang Valley and other higher reaches of Kullu valley received fresh snowfall on Thursday morning, something that delighted the tourists and the locals who thronged Solang in large numbers.
The entire area has been covered with white blanket of snow, plummeting the temperature drastically in the region.
The traffic movement has been suspended between Manali and Keylong on the Manali-Leh highway via Rohtang Pass, which received 15 cm snow.
According to the sources the snowfall was still continuing. The lower parts of Kullu and Mandi districts received rain. In Lahaul and Spiti too, fresh snowfall was reported in higher reaches.
Brig D K Tyagi, SM (Chief Engineer, Project Deepak) visited the forward locations at Chatru Dett on SKG road and Sarchu Dett on MS road to review the preparedness of snow clearance activities yesterday. Chief Engineer spoke to the Bro staff and motivated them to carry out their charter of duty despite snowfall and rough weather.
According to the commander 38 BRTF, Col Uma Shanker the Manali – Sarchu highway was open till yesterday but due to Western Disturbance today, Baralachala and Rohtang are witnessing heavy snowfall and the route is red as of now.
He further said the axis will be open after the snowfall stops. Due to freezing temperatures at Baralachala and Rohtang, the vehicles plying on this road are likely to slip or skid, if driving without skid chains on tyres due to icing on the road. It is suggested that tourist vehicles be advised to use skid chains to avoid any accidents.
SDM Manali Raman Gharsangi while speaking to Hill Post said that already 4×4 ambulances are deployed for evacuation of standard persons.
DSP Manali Sher Singh said that the police team has been send to evacuate standard tourists from Kothi 23 kms from here.
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.
