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Farmers and agriculture experts, meanwhile, said the snowfall and rain was good as they eliminate dryness in the weather, which is beneficial for upcoming fruit crops.
Himachal Pradesh Monday recorded its second snowfall of the season, leading to the closure of 15 roads, including two National Highways, even as a tourist died when his vehicle skidded on the icy road and collided with a parked tipper in the Lahaul Spiti district. Hoteliers, farmers and agriculture experts, however, welcomed the snowfall and light precipitation that the state received over last 48 hours saying it bodes well for tourism and the upcoming fruit crops.
As per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 15 roads, including NH-3, which connects Kullu Valley and Lahaul-Spiti, and Firozpur-Shipki La NH-5, were blocked for vehicular traffic in Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Among others, six roads in Kangra and two each in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Una too were closed, even as 18 transformers were disrupted.
A tourist, identified as Bhishan Garg (49), a resident of New Delhi, was killed and three others injured Sunday night when the vehicle they were in skidded and collided with a parked tipper in the Lahaul & Spiti district, police said. The accident occurred when the driver of their vehicle tried to overtake the vehicles stranded in traffic. The car skidded as road had turned slippery due to the snow freezing over, they said.
The Lahaul and Spiti police have asked the commuters to maintain low speeds, avoid abrupt braking, and heed weather advisories to prevent tragedies.
