Higher hills in Himachal Pradesh receive heavy snow

Normal life was thrown out of gear in higher hills and tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh as the region experienced heavy snowfall while mid and lower hills reported widespread rains.

The state capital Shimla and its surrounding resorts of Kufri, Fagu and Narkanda also received heavy snowfall.

Rohtang Pass, Saach pass, Chansel pass and Kunzam Pass and also Dhauladhar and Churdhar ranges in Sirmaur and Kangra district received 100 cm of snow, while Shimla received 20 cm of snow till this evening, the Met office said.

The Met office also said more snowfall and rain would take place in the state in the next five days.

Nauradhar, Haripurdhar, Nerwa, Jubbal, Kharapatthar and the adjoining areas received 35 to 40 cm of snow and all roads in the interiors of Shimla, Sirmaur and Kullu were closed due to snowfall.

The Hindustan–Tibet national highway was closed too.

Shimla and Rampur-bound vehicles were being routed via Basantpur and Kingal.

The rains and snow brought cheers to farmers and apple growers and broke the dry spell causing anxiety to farmers.

The rains were badly needed for Rabi crop which had been withering in some areas in the lower hills and snow was white manure for good apple crop.