Storm lashes Himachal; Rohtang Pass closed

Severe storm accompanied by rains and sleet on Sunday lashed parts of Himachal Pradesh, including state capital Shimla, disrupting normal life, while Rohtang Pass was closed due to fresh snowfall in tribal areas.

Some state transport buses which left from Keylong this morning for Manali had to return midway as Manali-Rohtang highway was closed due to heavy snow at Rohtang and adjoining areas, an official said.

Shimla town and adjoining areas experienced heavy downpour accompanied by hailstorm throwing the normal life out of gear.

The heavy rains lasted about three hours in the morning, forcing the tourists to stay indoors.

However, the storm subsided by noon but day temperature dropped significantly after the region experienced the hottest day on Saturday.

According to MeT office, Paonta Sahib received 20 mm of rains while Chamba and Baldwara recorded 16 mm and 12 mm of rains till the morning, followed by Kalatop 9 mm, Dharamshala and Sainj 7 mm, Keylong 5 mm and Bilaspur 4 mm. The sky remained heavily overcast and intermittent showers continued in lower and mid hills, it said.