Trains Run In -2 Degrees Temperature In Shimla, Tourists Rush For Ride Through Snow-Clad Hills

The heritage trains in the snow-clad hill town of Shimla are currently attracting a large number of tourists. According to reports, all the six-passenger trains are running on the Kalka-Shimla railway line, with tourists rushing in to board the trains to catch the picturesque views.

As the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted, Shimla received heavy snowfall dipping the temperature to -2.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday, February 5.

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The trains are currently an alternative medium of transport for Shimla-bound tourists, with the Train services reporting full capacity, said officials of the Railways. As of now, local residents from nearby areas are also using trains as a medium of transport after the roads got blocked due to heavy snowfall.

Tourists make beeline to get rides

The rides are a major attraction for travel buffs in snow-covered Shimla. Some videos shared online shows the trains moving slowly in areas blanketed by snow. The snow-capped mountains, trees, and buildings are all visible in a clip shared on Twitter by ANI. Watch it here:

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Train services continue amid snowfall in Shimla. pic.twitter.com/TOmOs3luT0

ĄĒ ANI (@ANI) February 4, 2022

Temperature dipping across Himachal

As per reports, the cold wave intensified in the last 24 hours and the temperature in Keylong in Lahaul-Spiti district dropped to -12.5 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Kalpa, popular for its apple orchards in the Kinnaur district, recorded -7.0 degrees Celsius while mercury dropped to -4.4 degrees Celsius in Manali.

The IMD has also warned that a feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from February 6, 2022. It also said that there will be another Western Disturbance that is likely to affect Northwest India from February 8.

In the past 24 hours, tourist spot Kufri recorded 60.0 cm snow, the highest in the state while 45.7 cm and 32.6 cm snowfall occurred in Chopal and Shimla respectively.

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Highways blocked, power affected

Himachal Pradesh Police issued the travel advisory on Friday after many roads got blocked due to the heavy snowfall. Despite the heavy snowfall, tourists are arriving in Himachal Pradesh.

As per data available with the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), as many as 758 roads, including three National Highways and one state highway have been closed due to snowfall. Meanwhile, electricity and water supply in some parts of the state have been affected.