The higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, including noted tourist destinations Shimla and Manali received fresh snowfall.
Fresh snowfall has also halted the traffic movement on national highway five connecting the upper areas of Shimla district. Vehicular traffic in remote Bharmour region in Chamba district has been suspended. Rohru, Chopal and many other upper areas of Shimla district were also cut off from the Shimla city.
No vehicles was plied beyond Sanjauli road leading to Kufri and Narkanda. The fresh snow also disrupted traffic in Shimla town as town’s main circular road remained closed for traffic. The local administration pressed snow clearance machines at various points.
Fresh snowfall has further dipped the temperature in Shimla town as it was recorded at -0.2. Luckily this time electricity supply didn’t affected, but water supply which was suspended since 7th January couldn’t be restored so far.
Chief Secretary VC Pharka, today also reviewed the progress on restoration of roads, water and electricity supply in the State following the fresh snowfall with the senior officers of the concerned departments.
He directed to work on war-footing for opening of all the temporarily blocked roads due to snowfall and to ensure proper supply of water and electricity. He asked to remove the snow on both the sides of the roads so that no inconvenience was caused to the general public. He said that all obstructions to the roads should be cleared on priority to ensure free flow of traffic.
The Chief Secretary said all the departments concerned with the essential services had been asked to continue deployment of additional staff for maintaining these services on priority.
Additional Chief Secretary Shri Narendra Chauhan, Special Secretary, Revenue-Disaster Management D.D Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla Rohan Thakur, Engineer-in-Chiefs of IPH and PWD, Director (Operations) HPSEBL and other senior officers of the state government were present in the meeting.
