Solang, Rohtang don white mantle too

MC Thakur

MANALI, FEBRUARY 24

The cold wave tightened its grip as Manali and its surrounding areas received a fresh spell of snow while the lower parts of the region were lashed by rain today.

Snowflakes also greeted tourists in the town this afternoon while the snowfall in the lower areas was mild.

The entire upper areas were wrapped in a white blanket. Tourists were thrilled to see the region covered with snow. Hundreds of tourists, who had to come to Manali on the weekend holiday, rushed to the Solang Valley to have a glimpse of snow. Tourists were also seen throwing snowballs at each other and clicking photographs.

The ski slopes of Solang also received snow, bringing cheers on the faces of ski lovers who had come to participate in different skiing courses being conducted by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Manali.

Hoteliers, taxi operators and people related to tourism industry were elated. They felt that the snow would boost tourism in Kullu-Manali.

The entire higher reaches in the Kullu valley, including Rohtang Pass, Marhi, Gulaba, Kothi, Dhundi, Chanderkhani and Pir Panjal ranges, also received moderate to heavy snow.

The 14,000-foot-high Bhrighu slopes and the 12,000-foot-high Hamta ski slopes, which are famous for its helicopter skiing, also received moderate to heavy snowfall today.

Orchardists and agriculturists of the Kullu valley also welcomed the fresh snow and rain. They say it is beneficial for the apple crop in the upper region and standing crops in the lower areas.

Due to the fresh spell of snow, upper Manali region was in the grip of severe cold.