District administration issues advisory to Leh travellers

SHIMLA:In the wake of flash floods, triggered by intermittent rains, the district administration of Tribal Lahaul and Spiti has issued advisory for tourists, urging them to carry warm cloths and food with them.

The rise in the water level of rivulets is leading to road closures. Due to this, the ManaliLeh highway was blocked for a few hours on Thursday. Over 500 vehicles were stranded for hours when a major part of road was submerged between Petseo and Zingzing Bar- 170km from Manali. Earlier on Tuesday, over 450 tourists were stranded at the same point for around 16 hours.

Lahaul and Spiti deputy commissioner Deva Singh Negi said, “The road is through for traffic now, but sometimes when water level rises, it is closed. For the road clearing work, we had to stop the traffic.” “Right now there is no one stranded on this highway,” he added.

BRO official colonel AK Awasthi said the machinery has been pressed in to clear the road. “We are doing it (clearing the road) time to time,” he said.

MONSOON ANYTIME

Different parts of HP have been receiving intermittent rainfall for the last 48 hours. The premonsoon showers have been lashing Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Kullu and Chamba district. Shimla meteorological centre director Manmohan Singh said the monsoon is expected to reach the state in next 24 hours.