As several parts of Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall on Thursday, the Kangra district authorities have banned all hiking activities above 3,000 metres.
After several parts of Himachal Pradesh received fresh snowfall on Thursday, the Kangra district authorities have banned all trekking activities above 3,000 metres, citing bad weather conditions.
The Kangra district authorities have made it mandatory for travellers to obtain prior permission for low-altitude trekking routes, too.
The move came in view of bad weather warnings by the India Meteorological Department, Shimla.
According to the order, mandatory prior permission from the Kangra Superintendent of Police office will be required for trekking on Kareri, Triund and Adi Himani Chamunda routes. All earlier permissions granted for hiking routes (as mentioned above) will be cancelled if warnings and alerts are issued by IMD Shimla.
However, the disaster management agencies NDRF, SDRF and the search and rescue teams of the Mountaineering Center Mcleodganj and the police will be exempted from the above instructions.
Dr Nipun Jindal has asked the District Tourism Officer to instruct all the stakeholders associated with the tourism business of Kangra district to inform about the restrictions on tracking activities for all the tourists staying there.
They have also been asked to inform about the penal provisions imposed by the district administration for violation.
The Deputy Commissioner has instructed all the concerned departments to ensure compliance with the orders. Action will be taken against the person violating the order under section 188 of the IPC and sections 51 to 60 of the Disaster Management Act 2005.
STRANDED VEHICLES RESCUED
As many as 400 vehicles were rescued safely from the South portal of Rohtang Tunnel in Manali which were stranded due to the season’s first snowfall in Manali and Lahaul Spiti. Police teams from both districts are assisting stranded tourists and a rescue operation is currently underway at South Portal.
Himachal Pradesh | Around 400 vehicles were rescued safely from the South portal of Rohtang Tunnel, Manali which were stranded due to snowfall in Manali &Lahaul Spiti. Police teams of both districts are assisting stranded tourists, rescue is currently underway at South Portal. pic.twitter.com/ho5T4j88Dz
— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2022
SNOWFALL IN HIMACHAL
Popular tourist spots Kufri, Manali and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh received snowfall on Thursday, bringing cheers to tourists who have thronged these places to ring in the New Year.
Keylong and Hansa in tribal Lahaul and Spiti received 2 and 1 cm of snow respectively. Kufri on the outskirts of Shimla received 0.5 cm of slow, while Manali reported traces of snow.
The sky remained heavily overcast and high-velocity icy winds lashed the region making people shiver even in heavy woolens.