Shimla
Heavy rain and snow across Himachal Pradesh has crippled life with 582 roads, including five national highways and one state highway blocked. With 2,436 distribution transformers disrupted, people are forced to live without power in many areas under intense cold conditions. In the state, 33 water supply schemes too have been disrupted.
With maximum temperature being recorded in single digit in most of the areas, the state is reeling under freezing cold conditions. Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Wednesday reviewed the situation arising out of heavy snowfall and directed all DCs and officers concerned to ensure that essential services were restored in the areas affected due to snowfall at the earliest.
In Chamba district, Pangi received 60.96cm snowfall, Bharmour 12.7cm, Tissa 10.16cm, Salooni 2.54cm and Dalhousie 15cm. In Chamba district 45 roads are blocked with the maximum 24 blocked in Pangi subdivision. In the district 366 distribution transformers are also disrupted, affecting power supply in the district. In Kinnaur district, Kalpa received 12.7cm snowfall, Sangla 45.72cm, Chhitkul 60.96 cm, Pooh 10.16cm, Nichar 15.24cm, Bhaba Valley 12.24cm and Moorang 7.62cm. In Kinnaur district a total 66 roads are blocked with maximum 19 in Pooh subdivision. With the tribal district reeling under intense cold conditions people are also facing power shortage as 28 distribution transformers are disrupted. <br/>In Kullu district, Manali received 15.24cm snowfall, Banjar 2.54cm, Jalori pass 76.2cm and Rohtang pass 60.96cm. In Kullu district, 63 roads are blocked in the district with the maximum 30 blocked in Nirmand subdivision. In the district 314 transformers are disrupted with maximum 214 in Manali subdivision, affecting power supply severely. In the district 22 water supply schemes too have been affected. In Lahaul-Spiti district, Sissu received 5.08cm snowfall, Gondhla 2.54cm, Keylong 1.27cm, Tingret 15.24cm, Kaza 2.54cm and Samdoh 2.54cm. In Lahaul-Spiti district, total 174 roads, including two national highways and one state highway, are blocked.
In Mandi district, Gohar received 30.48cm snowfall, Karsog 30.48cm, Nehri area 45.72cm and Fuladhar 22.60cm. In Mandi district, a total 83 roads are blocked with maximum 43 blocked in Seraj subdivision. Power supply has also been affected in Mandi district with 654 distribution transformers disrupted. Eleven water supply schemes too have been affected in the district.
In Shimla district, the hill capital received 20cm snowfall, Chopal 12.24cm, Theog 12cm, Narkanda 91.44cm, Kufri 45cm, Nankhari 3.81cm, Kumarsain 5.08cm, Fagu 60.96cm, Gonlha 18.5cm, Khadrala 33cm, Jubbal 7.5cm and Chini Bangla 34.48cm. In Shimla district a total 125 roads, including one national highway, is blocked while 1,074 distribution transformers are disrupted.
In Sirmaur district, Haripurdhar received 34.48cm snowfall and Nohradhar 36.57cm. In the district, 23 roads are blocked with maximum 11 blocked in Nahan subdivision. In Solan district, Chail received 15.24cm snowfall while three roads are blocked in the district.
The chief minister has directed the PWD to ensure that all major roads closed due to snow are re-opened immediately so that people do not face inconvenience. He said preference must be given to clear those roads which lead to essential services such as hospitals. He also directed the officers of state electricity board to ensure restoration of power supply at the earliest and also told the irrigation and public health authorities to take steps to ensure uninterrupted water supply. He added that all DCs must issue advisory for tourists and general public for carefully plying their vehicles on snow covered roads.
