Avalanche damages orchards in Kinnaur

Shimla, January 20

An avalanche threat loomed large over tribal areas reeling under biting cold while mid and higher hills had no relief from arctic-like conditions even as the region had a dry day.

The National Highway-5 was blocked due to falling of rocks near Bhavanagar in Kinnaur but it was cleared, said Kinnaur DC Gopal Chand, adding that an avalanche hit Ribba village on January 18, damaging orchards. The mercury stayed between minus 16 and minus 24 degree in high-altitude tribal areas while Keylong, Kalpa, Kufri and Manali recorded a low of minus 14.4 degree, minus 6.8 degree, minus 3 degree and minus 2.8 degree C. Dalhousie shivered at 0.8 degree, followed by Shimla and Solan 1.5 degree each, Bhuntar 2.1 degree, Dharamsala 2.4 degree, Sundernagar 2.8 degree and Palampur 3 degree C.

The life virtually froze in tribal areas as Keylong and Kalpa recorded the maximum temperature at minus 6 degree and minus 3.1 degree, followed by Dharamsala 9.2 degree, Manali 10 degree, Shimla 10.9 degree, Palampur 13.3 degree and Solan 15.5 degree. The MeT office has predicted rain and snow at isolated places on January 21 and 22 and dry weather from January 23. — TNS