In view of the unpredictable and threatening weather conditions around Kullu-Manali and Lahaul-Spiti, an advisory to tourists was released stating visitors and locals should avoid venturing into high altitude areas.
After the recent snowfall left hundreds of tourists stranded at Atal Tunnel, the Lahaul-Spiti administration, observing the large crowds in spite of the bad weather, had decided to not let tourists enter the valley if the conditions are life threatening.
The administration has ordered that vehicles should not enter the Lahaul valley as weather changes quite suddenly in such areas, resulting in heavy snow which might trap visitors.
The administration has decided to allow tourist vehicles to enter the valley through Atal Tunnel at Rohtang Pass only from 10am to 11am and from 12 noon to 3pm. Vehicles that enter during this period are to leave the valley by 4pm.
These orders will be applicable till January 24. The tunnel will remain closed for maintenance between 11am and 12 noon.
Those planning to visit the Kullu-Manali high hills are strictly advised to follow the guidelines of the administration to avoid unwanted incidents.
“Tourists with advance bookings in hotels and homestays at Keylong, Udaipur or any other location in Lahaul will be allowed to reach their destination subject to road worthiness and weather conditions,” said Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner Pankaj Rai.
Local residents familiar with the road conditions and habitual of driving in the valley have also been advised to reach their destinations by 5pm except in case of any emergency. They have been advised to prefer 4×4 vehicles with chains.
Himachal Pradesh is experiencing intense cold wave conditions with the minimum temperatures in the state falling four degrees since Wednesday as snowfall and rainfall continue in scattered places across the state.
Kalpa received 6cm snow, while Dalhousie recorded 12mm of rain, Dharamshala 11.8mm, Manali 9mm, Chamba 8mm, Una 3mm and Shimla 0.8mm on Wednesday.
State meteorological department director Manmohan Singh said that the weather is likely to remain clear in the state on Thursday.
The minimum temperature in Shimla on Thursday morning was 3.9°C, while Kufri, 14km from Shimla, recorded 0°C.
Hill stations of Manali in Kullu district, Dharamshala in Kangra district and Dalhousie in Chamba district recorded a minimum temperature of -1.2°C, 4.6°C and 2.9°C.
Una recorded a low of 6.6°C, Solan 2.2°C, Bilaspur 9°C, Hamirpur 8.8°C, Mandi 4.1°C and Nahan 10.9°C, respectively.
Kalpa in Kinnaur district registered a low of -5°C and Keylong, the headquarters of Lahaul-Spiti district, was the coldest place in the state at -11.6°C.
The Solang-Atal Tunnel-Keylong highway experiences the threat of avalanche and landslides till late March and tourists who ply this 50km stretch of avalanche-prone highway can face accidents anytime. A safer option near Manali, Gulaba, is being requested by the hoteliers to be kept open for tourists to experience snowfall without such dangers.
