After snowfall Himachal Pradesh tells tourists not to visit Manali

Five days after a heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh normal life continues to be disrupted in many places including the popular tourist resort town of Manali in the Kullu valley.

Police issued an advisory on Wednesday asking tourists not to visit Manali for the next few days as a two to three feet snow cover is there.

"Avoid travelling to Kullu and Manali as there is no electricity and water supply here. Expected date of restoration of these services is not confirmed," said P L Thakur, Inspector General police.

Talking about the road connectivity to Manali Thakur said, "The road on the left bank of the Beas from Kullu to Manali continues to remain blocked."

"The right bank road has been opened but only for light vehicles," he said.

Heavy snowfall over the weekend in and around Manali took everyone by surprise.

The authorities rescued hundreds of tourists from the hills overlooking Manali close to the 13,050 ft high Rohtang pass. But 28 are still stuck in Marhi.

"As many as 25 men, two women and a child continue to be housed at the Marhi rescue hut," Thakur said.

Half of Himachal Pradesh has no electricity for the past few days as heavy snowfall and fallen trees snapped power lines. Many major roads have still not been cleared of snow.

After several years the hill state has witnessed a heavy snowfall in the first half of December.