Heavy snow brings Jammu to a standstill, efforts on in Shimla to clear roads for traffic
Unlike in Jammu, authorities in Shimla have ordered clearing of snow from the roads to facilitate movement of traffic, and to ensure that normal life is not paralysed for days.
The mercury in Shimla dropped below the freezing point as a white blanket of snow today covered it and surrounding areas of Kufri and Narkanda.
The city's temperature touched minus 2 degrees with the nearby areas experiencing intermittent heavy snowfall till 11 am.
It added to the woes of people, especially officer goers, who had to go through a snail-paced traffic and disrupted power supply to some localities.
Tourists were also advised to stay indoor or avoid going to higher altitudes.
Fortunately, Shimla witnessed some sunshine in the latter part of the day. Though there was slight rain, temperature rose to 4 degrees by 5 pm.
JAMMU JAMMED
Same as Jammu, where three districts of Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda came to a standstill after they received heavy snowfall today after several years.
The areas of Mondayas Bhaderwah, Banihal, Kishtwar, Gandoh and other higher reaches received snowfall, while Doda town, Ramban and Thathri received season's first snowfall.
#Watch Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar witnesses fresh snowfall. pic.twitter.com/RBIa39hNmk ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2017
"In view of the accumulation of two feet of snow and continuous heavy snowfall on Patnitop stretch, the authorities, considering the safety and security of passengers have decided to stop movement of all vehicles on the highway on temporary basis," Dy SP traffic Aftab Ahmed said.
ROADS BEING CLEARED IN SHIMLAJammu Srinagar Highway closed due to heavy snowfall at Patnitop and Jawahar Tunnel ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2017
Unlike in Jammu, authorities in Shimla have ordered clearing of snow from the roads to facilitate movement of traffic, and to ensure that normal life is not paralysed again.
The snow is being cleared on roads leading to hospitals on a priority basis and all deputy commissioners have been directed to give hourly report on the situation to the State Emergency Response Centre.
#WATCH Himachal Pradesh: Shimla continues to be covered under a blanket of snow pic.twitter.com/vfJN2Fm8w2 ANI (@ANI_news) January 16, 2017
Keylong and Kalpa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti districts recorded a low of minus 4 and minus 3 degrees Celsius, Manali zero, Bhuntar 4.4, Solan 5.4, Nahan 5.7, Sundernagar 6.5, Dharamsala 8.2 and Una 9.6 degrees Celsius.
The MeT office has also predicted scattered rains or snow January 17 onwards for two days in Shimla.
With inputs from PTI
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