SHIMLA: Six days after the mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh experienced one of the heaviest snowfalls in recent years, residents of affected areas continue to face hardships, especially in terms of connectivity. This is despite the state government asking the locals administrations to work on war-footing to restore normalcy.
As many as 416 link roads, including 153 in Lahaul and Spiti, 146 in Shimla, 45 in Chamba, 29 in Kullu, 26 in Mandi, 13 in Kinnaur and four in Sirmaur, still remain cut off from the mainland while 446 power transformers continue to be dysfunctional. As many as 116 water supply schemes are yet to be restored.
In Sunni area of Shimla district, a villager died after slipping over snow. In Lahaul-Spiti’s Bharmaur, more than 10 tourists were stranded. Capital Shimla and nearby tourists spots received mild snow on Tuesday night while some other parts of the state were lashed by rain.
Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest temperature of minus 16.5°C. The weather is expected to remain clear in Himachal till January 15. After January 16, fresh western disturbances are likely to result in rain and snow in the hill state.