White New Year may elude Kullu as dry spell prevails

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Manali, December 30

Dry spell has disappointed hoteliers and tourists in Kullu and Manali, who are expecting snowfall on the eve of New Year. On the occasion of New Year, a large number of tourist throng Kullu and Manali from different parts of country to get a glimpse of snowfall and enjoy winter sports, but this time they are disappointed with the dry weather.

On 14 December, Manali town and its nearby places received snowfall, which brought cheer to hoteliers, but the weather has remained dry since then. The snow has melt at nearby points like Solang, Vashishth and others. Tourists will have to move toward Kothi, Gulaba and Anjani Mahadev to have a glimpse of snow.

Sagar Gupta and his wife Madhu, tourists from Delhi, said, “We came to Manali in a hope for a snowfall on New Year, but seems like we will have to return disappointed.”

Hoteliers of the district said snowfall brings boom to the tourism industry here, but the long dry spell has marred their chances of brisk business, which they were expecting on New Year’s Eve. Hotels of the district were expecting 70 per cent occupancy on New Year’s Eve, which generally goes up to 90 per cent if the weather favours.

Gajender Thakur, president, Hotelier Association, Kullu and Manali, told The Tribune, “A long dry spell has disappointed hoteliers because snowfall becomes a big gain for us, especially on special occasions like Christmas and New Year when tourists want to see snow.”

To regulate traffic and maintain law and order situation, the district police administration has deployed extra police force in Manali town.

Shalini Agnihotri, Superintendent of Police, Kullu, said, “We have deployed extra police force to maintain law and order situation and regulate traffic in Manali town. Few parking places have been identified to avoid traffic chaos because the increasing tourist influx. Due to lack of parking space, many tourists park their vehicles on the roadside, which causes traffic jam.”

Tourists flock to Gulaba

Manali: A large number of tourists from all over the country are flocking the tourist town of Manali to celebrate New Year. Although the weather was dry in the Manali region, snow at the Solang valley and Gulaba has proved to be a blessing for New Year revellers. Meanwhile, keeping in view the dry weather conditions in the Manali region, tourists were allowed to go up to Gulaba on Saturday. Hundreds of tourists made a beeline for Gulaba, which has received snowfall. OC