Rohtang Pass closed as Himachal reels under intense cold

The Sub Divisional Magistrate of Keylong said the residents of Lahaul-Spiti had been asked to avoid crossing the Rohtang Pass on foot
Rohtang Pass near Manali and adjoining areas received 10 cm to 15 cm of fresh snowfall. A government spokesperson said most of the internal roads in Shimla and Kinnaur districts were cut off due to snow. A view of Shangarh Ground covered with the season's
Rohtang Pass near Manali and adjoining areas received 10 cm to 15 cm of fresh snowfall. A government spokesperson said most of the internal roads in Shimla and Kinnaur districts were cut off due to snow. A view of Shangarh Ground covered with the season's

Chandigarh: After a fresh spell of snowfall, the Rohtang Pass in Himachal Pradesh has been closed for pedestrians. The rescue posts set up at Koksar and Marhi on the Manali-Leh highway were removed on Friday.  

The Lahaul-Spiti district administration passed orders in this regard in view of the bone-chilling cold in the hill state. The two posts were set up last month to help visitors in case of any problem. 

Sub Divisional Magistrate of Keylong Amar Negi said the residents of Lahaul-Spiti had been asked to avoid crossing the Rohtang Pass on foot as it has been closed for pedestrians. The state government
would provide helicopter services to them in case of an emergency. Also, the rescue posts had been removed from Marhi and Koksar as no one would be available to help the visitors.

The rescue posts are set up every year to help pedestrians who cross the pass to travel between Manali and Keylong and vice versa after November 15 till December 31, depending upon weather conditions.

In view of the bad weather, Kullu district administration has issued an advisory for tourists and locals not to venture to higher reaches of the district.

At minus 11.1 degrees Celsius, Lahaul-Spiti was the coldest district in the state. Also, the Chandra river in Lahaul-Spiti flowing through snow-covered mountains was partially frozen. Despite clear and sunny weather, spine-chilling cold is being experienced during the day in the hill state.

In Shimla, the minimum temperature was 2.7 degrees Celsius while the temperature in Dalhousie settled at 1.6 degrees. Also, Solan, Chamba and Sundernagar recorded sub-zero temperatures while Manali, Rohtang and Kalpa received fresh snowfall.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh recorded the season's coldest night so far at 3.4 degrees Celsius, which is two notches below the normal. Adampur in Punjab was the coldest place in the two states with a low of 0.4
degrees Celsius. Dense fog affected normal life in many places in the region.

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