Met predicts snow,tourists rush to hills

With snowfall predicted for Shimla and other hill stations,Himachal Pradesh is expecting heavy rush of tourists in the next few days. While many have already started arriving,most hotels are completely booked for the New year’s Eve. The meteorological department on Tuesday reaffirmed its prediction of snowfall in Shimla and other hill stations on December 30 and 31. Rainfall and snow are also predicted at some places on December 29.

“There are reports of western disturbances approaching Himachal,due to which light to moderate rainfall and snowfall will occur at many places,including Shimla,” said Dr Manmohan Singh,Director,Indian Meteorological Department,Shimla. He said snowfall would occur at Narkanda,Manali,Rohtang Pass,Kufri and Shimla,in addition to the high reaches of the state,from December 29 to 31.

The sky remained overcast towards the later half of Tuesday in Shimla. Manali,Dalhousie,Chail,Kasauli and Dharamsala are already choc-a-bloc with holiday makers.

Vijay Sharma,Assistant General Mangar,Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation,who looks after Hotel Holiday Home and Hotel Peterhoff,said: “Both hotels are running with full occupancy. We have made arrangements to usher in the New Year with a ‘Dine N Dance’ programme and will give special prizes to the best dancing couples.”

However,the arrival of tourists has led to parking problems in Shimla.