MANALI/SHIMLA: Two more people were found dead in tribal Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, taking the death toll to seven so far. The bodies were recovered at Bogtu area. Meanwhile, around 30 residents of Spiti have been calling for help ever since they were stranded between Rekong Peo and Pooh. In Multan sub-tehsil of Kangra district, which covers Chhota Bhangal and Bara Bhangal areas, 49 villages have been without electricity for the past three days. Likewise, in Seraj valley of Mandi district, 44 villages have been without power. In Shimla, around 40 people have sustained bone fractures in accidents related to snow-laden roads.
In Shimla, a woman died of injuries sustained in an accident, in a hospital on Monday morning, while three others, including her husband and daughter have been admitted for emergency treatment. Police inspector Sangat Ram Negi said the victims were coming to Rampur from Lauga village in Kotgarh, when their driver, Lokinder, lost control of the vehicle (DL8C - 3562) near Bhadrash and the vehicle fell into a deep ditch.
All the four persons travelling in the car were rescued and brought to hospital but Yashoda, 23, wife of Satish Jisthu, 33, succumbed to the injuries.
Meanwhile, not all tourists coming to Manali to see the fresh snow are suitably equipped for the prevailing conditions. Snow has caused traffic snarls with vehicles moving at a snail's pace on the Kullu-Manali highway. Sources said that many tourists have cancelled their bookings after coming to know of the deteriorated road conditions in Manali after a heavy spell of snowfall. On Monday, too, most tourists enjoyed the snow at the Mall in Manali, while others moved to Nehru Kund, 7km from here.
A young couple from Bangalore, R Ajay and R Sindhuri, said they had reached Manali on Thursday evening when it was snowing heavily. "We found it very difficult to reach our hotel. We stayed in our room for three days and are now going back home. All we could see was the deep white snow," said Ajay. Over a dozen vehicles which were parked in hotels were damaged because of growing icicles. Many tourists who had parked their cars in the interiors of Manali are still waiting for clearance to leave the station.
A tourist from Chandigarh, Amit Verma said he had to stay in Manali for two additional days just because his car was stuck in the snow. Manali still has over 60cm thick sheet of snow covering and tourists. Tourists could be seen making snow structures and snowmen. However, most of them are complaining about being overcharged by cab operators. Some said that they had to pay Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 to travel only 20km. On Monday, when the highway was cleared for light vehicles, tourists were charged Rs 500 to cover 10km.
Snowploughs have been pressed into service. Manali sub-divisional magistrate Balvir Thakur said: "Sunny days might lead to avalanches in the upper areas and people are advised not to travel to such zones."
Also, with more than 80% hotels in Manali operating sans power backup, tourists were forced to spend nights bracing the chill.
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