Photos: Fresh spell of snow in Shimla, Kufri; hundreds rescued in nightlong operation

SHIMLA: Hundreds of passengers stranded in snow in Kufri and other parts of Shimla following the fresh spell of snowfall on Thursday were rescued after a night-long operation and brought to Dhalli and Shimla. Around 300 small vehicles as well as nearly 300 passengers in 11 buses were stranded.
Shimla additional SP Praveer Thakur said rescued vehicles included seven Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, one private bus, transportion vehicles, taxis, cars, pickups and trucks.He said vehicles were left stranded on slippery roads. They were later brought from Kufri to Dhalli and Shimla. He said traffic on both sides was regulated as due to snowfall road was slippery. Rescue operation ended at about 1am on Friday.

Shimla deputy commissioner Amit Kashyap said that all roads were open in Shimla urban area but Dhalli-Kufri road was slippery and sand was being spread on it. He said Rohru, Chopal, Khadapathar road was open for vehicular traffic and snow clearing machinery was deployed at most vulnerable points.
Hundreds of passengers stranded in snow in Kufri and other parts of Shimla following the fresh spell of snowfall were rescued after a night-long operation. (ANI photo)
He said Shimla-Rampur Road was being cleared at Narkanda on a war-footing and HRTC buses were plying normally in the district.
Shimla-Rampur Road was being cleared at Narkanda. (PTI photo)
The weatherman has forecast rain and snowfall in the middle and high hills, and thundershowers in the plains and low hills from till January 22 except January 19.
Shimla additional SP Praveer Thakur said rescued vehicles included seven Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, one private bus, transportion vehicles, taxis, cars, pickups and trucks. (ANI photo)
Shimla deputy commissioner Amit Kashyap said that all roads were open in Shimla urban area but Dhalli-Kufri road was slippery and sand was being spread on it. (ANI photo)