Shimla, Feb 6 (IANS) Heavy snowfall hit the high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh Saturday, plummeting temperatures across the state considerably.
“The high peaks of Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Chamba districts have been experiencing heavy snowfall this (Saturday) morning,” Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office in Shimla, told IANS.

The Rohtang Pass (13,050 feet) in Kullu district and Pangi in Chamba district saw more than 2 feet of snow till Saturday afternoon.

The Rohtang Pass, the gateway to the Lahaul Valley, has been closed for traffic since Dec 10 due to heavy snowfall.

Hills overlooking the picturesque tourist resort Manali also recorded mild spells of snowfall.

Singh said that due to western disturbances hovering over Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, heavy snowfall is likely to occur at higher reaches of these states.

The weather bureau has already asked tourists to avoid venturing out in higher reaches from Feb 7-9.

“The western disturbances will remain active in the region till Feb 9. Under its influence, rainfall and snowfall would become intense between Feb 7 and 8,” he added.

Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place in the state. It recorded a low of minus 8.9 degrees Celsius.

Kalpa in Kinnaur district saw the night temperature at minus 2 degrees, whereas Shimla recorded a low of 7.5 degrees Celsius.