Rain also lashed parts of Delhi even as the national capital’s minimum temperature settled at 18.2 degree Celsius

Rain lashed parts of Northern India, including Delhi, Punjab and Haryana, early on Saturday with fresh snowfall being recorded in Himachal Pradesh region.

The Manali-Leh highway was blocked to normal traffic beyond Solang Nala towards Keylong due to heavy snowfall. It was snowing heavily in Manali and Lahaul and Spiti region since Friday evening, which rendered several roads blocked.

Heavy snowfall was witnessed near Atal tunnel on this highway which blocked a majority of roads in Lahaul and Udaipur subdivision of Lahaul and Spiti district.

Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway was blocked to traffic in Spiti region, while traffic became standstill in entire Lahaul and Spiti district due to fresh snowfall.

Lahaul and Spiti DC Rahul Kumar issued an advisory for the general public to stay in their homes and avoid venturing toward snow avalanche prone areas in the district.

He said the Border Roads Organisation will engage its workforce and machinery to clear snow on the Manali-Leh highway as soon as weather improves.

Meanwhile, multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains blocked the strategic Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Saturday.

Officials said that multiple landslides triggered by incessant rains between Banihal and Ramban sectors have blocked the Srinagar-Jammu highway.

“No traffic will be allowed on the highway on Saturday. Landslide clearance operation will start once the rain stops in the area,” officials said.

Also, heavy snowfall continues to block the Srinagar-Leh, Mughal Road, Sinthan-Kishtwar, Bandipora-Gurez and Kupwara-Tangdhar roads.

Rain also lashed parts of Delhi even as the national capital’s minimum temperature settled five notches above normal at 18.2 degree Celsius, the India Meteorological Department said.

The Met office has predicted generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers, accompanied by gusty winds during the day. — with agencies