People stroll at ridge during snowfall in Shimla
Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday issued an advisory for the departmemt and general public for likely heavy snowfall and possible avalanche in Manali, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Shimla, Kinnaur and Kullu districts on Wednesday
Most of the prominent tourist towns like Shimla, Narkanda, Kufri, Manali and Dalhousie, located in mid-hills, may also witness snowfall.
Residents and tourists have been advised not to venture out on the high hills as chances of snapping of road links were high.
According to news agency ANI, Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment has alerted the authorities of possible heavy snowfall and avalanche in the region, which prompted the advisory.
An intense cold wave has gripped Himachal Pradesh, with the Met office forecasting widespread rainfall and snowfall likely in the state.
The western disturbances -- storm systems originating from Caspian Sea and moving across the Afghanistan-Pakistan region -- will be active in the region till Thursday, Met Office Director Manmohan Singh told IANS.
Under the influence of an active western disturbance, rain and snowfall is likely to occur at many places on Tuesday and at most places on the subsequent two days, he said.
"Due to moderate to heavy snowfall, roads are likely to be blocked, especially in Chamba, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti districts," Singh said.
Both Shimla and Manali are wrapped under a blanket of snow and saw the night temperature at 5.8 degrees Celsius each on Tuesday. Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state at minus 11 degrees Celsius. It was minus 4.2 degrees in Kalpa and 3.8 degrees in Dharamsala.
(With inputs from agencies)
