Heavy snow cripples life in Shimla district

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 13

The normal life remained paralysed today as Chopal, Rohru, Dodra Kwar, Narkanda, Baghi, Kadrala, Tikkar, Sungri and many areas in Kinnaur district had no power due to heavy snowfall.

According to PWD reports, the snowfall brought traffic to a standstill on 299 roads -129 roads in Shimla zone, 42 in Mandi zone, 118 in Dalhousie circle, including eight national highways.

The snowfall snapped transmission lines at several places in the higher reaches of Chopal, Jubbal-Kotkhai, Rohru, Rampur and Theog. Several villagers had remained powerless for the last two days.

The lines had been damaged between Deha, Dhurla and Jhiknipul that resulted in power outage in Chopal sub-division for the past 30 hours.

The PWD claimed five machines had been deployed to clear the snow between Chopal and Chambi, but the frequent spells of snow hampered the operations.

Superintending Engineer Ajay Kapur said the PWD had pressed into service 244 machines for the snow-clearing operation. “We hope that 131 roads will be cleared by late evening, another 78 tomorrow and 89 roads within two days,” he added.

ADC, Shimla, Apurva Devgan said, “Traffic between Theog and Narkanda and between Theog and Rohru via Kharapathar has been restored in this evening. The electricity to Rohru, Chopal and Dodra Kwar is being restored."

Shimla recorded 12.9 mm of rain, Kalpa 26 cm of snow, Keylong 12.5 cm and Manali 12 cm snow.

The lower areas had been lashed by light to moderate rain since morning. Dharamsala recorded 35.8 mm, the highest rainfall, followed by Jawali and Kangra 33 mm till 4.30 pm.

Local MeT Director Dr Manmohan said the precipitation would decline from tomorrow and rain and snow would take place at some isolated places. The weather would be clear from December 15, he added.