Avalanche warning for tribal areas, higher hills

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 5

A avalanche threat looms large over the tribal areas and higher hills of the state. The Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE), Manali, has issued snow and avalanche warning in various parts of Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Kinnaur and Kullu districts on Wednesday.

Consequently, the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), has issued an advisory for the departments and general public and asked the authorities concerned to keep a close watch and monitor the situation in their areas regularly and take appropriate precautionary measures. They have been directed to keep search and rescue teams on standby and avoid movement on slopes where avalanche warning has been issued, an official spokesman said.

They have been further directed to convey bad weather warning to all grassroots-level functionaries and residents. Tourists and local people have been asked not to venture out in the snow-bound areas.

The departments concerned have been asked to keep close watch on the national highways and other roads and keep the evacuation plans ready for any eventuality. The local MeT Department has also warned of hailstorm in the lower hills on Wednesday and Thursday and heavy rains and snow in mid and higher hills on Wednesday.

The MeT office predicted rain and thunderstorm in the lower hills and rain or snow in the mid and higher hills over the next four days and dry weather in the lower hills from February 9.

Meanwhile, It was a dry day in the region, but the sky remained overcast and strong winds blew across, causing marginal fall in the day’s temperature. The minimum temperature also rose marginally, but the tribal areas and higher hills had no respite from chilling cold-wave conditions as Keylong and Kalpa recorded minimum temperatures at minus 11.0 degree and minus 4.2 degree, respectively.