Apple crop damaged in Kinnaur, 60 labourers stuck in Lahaul & Spiti
Fresh snowfall and hailstorm on Saturday damaged the apple produce in a dozen villages of Kinnaur district, known for its high quality apple production.
"Early snowfall has caused extensive damage to apple trees and standing crops in the region," Ashok Negi, an apple grower in Kinnaur’s Nesang village said.
"The region has experienced the first snowfall this season. Our village recorded untimely snow in June 2013 last time. All roads leading to the villages are closed due to snow," Poney Singh Negi, a resident of Ropa village said.
There is no transportation facility in the village and the apple produce will be damaged due to intense cold and frost," he said.
As many as 8,000 apple boxes that were ready to be delivered in the market are lying at the bus stop in Nesang. Asrang, Ribba, Ropa, Nesang and Nebar villages experienced snowfall along with thunder showers. Electricity and communication lines were also suspended in Kinnaur district.
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur who was in Kinnaur on a two day visit, travelled back to Shimla by road as the chopper was not able to take off owing to bad weather conditions.
Kalpa in Kinnaur recorded 42cm of snow and the temperature was recorded at 0° C.
LABOURERS SAFE, LODGED AT REST HOUSE, SAYS DC
As many as 60 labourers who were working in Zanskar in Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at Sissu, the north portal of Rohtang tunnel in Keylong district after fresh snowfall on Saturday.
Lahaul and Spiti deputy commissioner Ashwani Chaudhary said, “The labourers are safe and lodged at government rest house in Keylong and Sissu.”
Rohtang pass was closed following heavy snow fall on Friday evening.
MANALI-LEH HIGHWAY CLOSED
Around 200 vehicles were stranded on the Manali - Leh highway that was closed due to snow. On Thursday, the district administration had rescued around 76 people who were stranded in snow.
Majority of the villages in Lahaul and spiti are without electricity for the last 24 hours.
Keylong recorded 32cm of snow and the temperature was recorded at minus 1.3 °C . The mid and lower hills in the state also experienced rainfall. Manali recorded 40.2mm rain, Dharamshala recorded 5.0mm rain ,Bhuntar in Kullu district recorded 330.1mm rain and Chamba recorded 18.0mm rain.
A heavy rain and snowfall alert was issued by the for November 3 and 4 in Kullu.