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Another spell of snowfall in Himachal

Traffic on Manali-Leh highway was restored

SHIMLA: Winters have set in early in Himachal Pradesh this year with higher reaches of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts of the State receiving light to moderate snowfall, while widespread rain was reported from lower areas of the State during the last 24 hours.

Reports said higher reaches of tribal district of Kinnuar received the season's first snowfall on Tuesday night, plummeting night and day temperatures in the region.

The district was experiencing rain since morning.

Kunjum Pass, Sarchu Top, Lady of Keylong mountains and Petsio in Lahaul Spiti received light snowfall for the third day on Wednesday.

Snowfall was also reported in Kibber village, the highest village in the world at an altitude of 16,000 feet, of the district.

The 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass, which is also known as the gateway to Lahaul Valley, was open for vehicular traffic and sources said it had received four to five inches of snowfall since Tuesday night.

Traffic on the Manali-Leh National Highway was restored on Wednesday after the Border Road Organisation (BRO) opened the 160-feet long Koksar Bailey bridge, bringing respite to stranded tourists and agriculturists.

Several vehicles were stranded on the highway on both sides of the Koksar bridge since September 4 after two overloaded trucks crossed the bridge simultaneously and damaged it. The Dhauladhar mountain ranges in Kangra district, Bharmour in Chamba district and other mountain passes in the district also experienced mild snowfall during the last 24 hrs, the Met office said.

Reports said 14,500-foot high Sach Pass and Mahalwar Dhar in Chamba district also received the first snowfall of the season, while rains lashed other areas of the district for the third day on Wednesday.

UNI

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Another spell of snowfall in Himachal

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