Shimla:
A long dry spell of weather has come to an end on last night, after fresh snowfall occurred at different places in Himachal.
The farmers are upbeat now, who were waiting desperately for snow and rain for the last two months.
Apple growers of state took a sigh of relief now because they were apprehensive that long dry spell of weather had adverse impact on production of apple crop.
According to horticulture department experts, apple orchards need long chilling hours for better production of crop. Timely snow during December and January is considered a white manure for apple orchards, which eliminate several diseases.
Naresh Kumar an apple grower of Shimla said that finally the long wait has ended for snow. There was dryness in the agricultural land because of long dry weather.
He said that apple is the most important fruit crop of Himachal Pradesh. It constitutes about 49% of the total area under fruit crops and about 85% of the total fruit production. The apple economy of the State is an estimated Rs. 5,500 crore-6,000 crore.
Hoteliers of state were also elated after fresh snow, which will attract a large number of tourists toward this hilly state. Snow is considered a boon for the tourism industry in Himachal.
Fresh snowfall occurred in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba district. The higher reaches of these districts have been draped in a while mantle, while lower region of these districts received showers of rain.
Around 300 tourists were evacuated safely from Atal tunnel area on Manali-Leh highway last evening because the highway had become slippery for the movement of vehicles in the region.
According to the police, around 2000 vehicles were evacuated safely from Lahaul valley toward Manali in Kullu district in Himachal via Atal tunnel on Manali-Leh highway last night after fresh snow occurred in the region. Now traffic movement has become standstill on Manali-Leh highway beyond Manali toward Leh because of heavy snowfall at North and South portals of Atal tunnel.
Due to fresh snow, several roads have been blocked in different parts of the state.
