One dies as cold wave continues in Himachal; more snowfall, rain likely on Monday

An elderly person died after he slipped on a sw-covered ro here on Sunday as Himachal Presh continues to reel under biting cold with  meteorological department has forecast orange warning for more rain and swfall on Monday. 59-year-old Mahipal's body was found on stairs near Luv-Kush chowk here on Sunday morning. He reportedly died after skidding from slippery ro, police said. 

This is second death due to skidding in Shimla city since heavy and widespre swfall on Wednesday. Earlier on Friday, 77-year-old Kanchowk died as he  sustained he injuries after falling near Tibti Colony. With this, death toll since widespre swfall has risen to three.

On Saturday, 32-year-old Sunil Kumar died and driver Ram Kumar injured while removing sw as ir earthmoving machine hired by public works department (PWD) fell into gorge at Singla Nullah near Shattal falling under Shimla's Nerwa police station, police said. 

Re: People should avoid swbound areas of Kullu: Himachal police

Re: Avalanche warning issued in five Himachal districts

Besides, a number of persons sustained injuries after falling from slippery ros since Wednesday. According to data provided by an official of State Disaster Manment Authority (SDMA) on Saturday night, 455 ros including 317 in Shimla zone are still blocked due to sw.

Around 409 machines, including 362 earthmoving machines, 16 excavators and 31 dump trucks, were working to clear sw off ros, he ded.Meanwhile, Kalpa received 14 cm swfall, whereas Kothi got 11 mm rain, followed by Manali 6 mm, Seobagh 5 mm and Bhuntar 3 mm, Shimla MeT Centre Director Manmohan Singh said.

MeT centre has forecast rain, swfall in high, middle hills and rain, thunderstorm in plains, low hills till January 19.However, it issued orange warning for January 13. MeT office issues colour-coded warnings to alert people ahe of severe or hazardous wear that has potential to cause dam, widespre disruption or danger to life.

Orange is for wear conditions that have capacity to impact significantly.Issuing visory, wearman h said that heavy rain, swfall may occur in several parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Sirmaur, Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, Chamba and Solan district whereas thunderstorm may take place in Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts on January 13 and 16.

Following wear forecast, Kullu police vised local residents and tourists to t travel up to higher reaches and swbound areas of district.Kullu Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh said Shimla Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy rain and swfall in district from January 12 to 19. He ded that people should avoid travelling to higher reaches as it might prove fatal.

In a post on social media, Kullu police has asked people to call 1077, a toll free number in case of any emergency.Minimum temperatures increased by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius with Lahaul and Spiti district's ministrative centre Keylong recording lowest temperature at minus 11.3 degrees Celsius, Meteorological Centre said.

minimum temperature in Kinnaur's Kalpa was minus 4 degrees Celsius, followed by Manali in Kullu district at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius.Dalhousie recorded a low of 1.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Kufri 4 1.5 degrees Celsius and Shimla 5.1 1.5 degrees Celsius, he ded.While maximum temperatures were 1 to 2 degrees Celsius below rmal with highest temperature in state was in Solan at 22 degrees Celsius.

Im Credits: ANI