Snowfall ends Himachal's dry spell

By IANS
Sunday February 11, 04:44 PM
Shimla, Feb 11 (IANS) Having been without a snowfall for most part
this winter, people in Himachal Pradesh were in for a surprise Sunday
as snowfall covered many areas of the state, including this capital,
in a white blanket.

The higher parts of Shimla were covered with six inches of snow while
the lower areas received around two inches.


Normal life was paralysed as vehicles could not move to the higher
parts of the town. There was frequent power failure.


The Hindustan Tibet road beyond Shimla has been blocked by snow since
Saturday as the twin resorts of Kufri and Narkanda had some 20 inches
of snowfall.


Manali and the overlooking 13,050-foot high Rohtang pass have been
having continuous snowfall since Saturday. While there was heavy snow
in the Dhauladhar ranges, Dharamsala saw spells of rain. Dalhousie in
Chamba too received snowfall.


The mid hills had been under a dry spell since early December when
there was light snowfall. This had caused concern among farmers and
in the tourism industry.


Sunday's snowfall is seen as crucial for the state's apple orchards,
which were in dire need of moisture.


The high mountains and valleys of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Bharmaur
and Dodra Kwar received yet another spell of snowfall Sunday, leading
to a further drop in temperatures in the tribal belt.

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