Shimla:

Heavy snowfall in Manali and Lahaul region on Manali-Leh highway has blocked this highway to traffic between Manali-Keylong- Darcha in Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti districts of Himachal Pradesh today.

The occurrence of fresh snow has elated the farmers and tourism stakeholders of Manali and Lahaul. Farmers of Lahaul valley have been delighted because snow is considered a boon for better crops, which maintain necessary moisture in the land for crops cultivation.

Similarly, the tourism stakeholders of Manali are also delighted because of fresh snow. They believe that it will give impetus to the tourist influx to Manali in the coming days because snow is a major attraction for tourists here.

Gyalchhan, a resident of Lahaul said that traffic has become standstill in entire Lahaul valley because of fresh snow. Roads have been blocked in the Lahaul and Spiti district, which hampered the transportation services badly in the region.

The Border Roads Organisation has engaged it’s workforce and machinery to clear the snow from the Manali- Leh highway between Manali-Keylong-Darcha.

Deputy Commissioner Lahaul and Spiti Rahul Kumar advised the tourists and local residents to avoid unnecessary journey to Lahaul valley until the restoration of Manali-Leh highway and other local roads in the district.

It is a second snowfall of this winter season, which gave a relief to the area residents.

Tourists in Manali were enjoying the snow at mall road Manali and Nehru Kund today.