Rain brings respite to Himachal

Heavy rain lashed many parts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, bringing down the mercury by at least 5 notches.

The sky remained overcast. The Meteorological department has attributed these untimely rains to western disturbances and cyclonic circulation system developed over the entire north India.

Meanwhile the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Saturday reopened the strategic high altitude Manali-Leh National Highway. The road was closed for seven months due to heavy snow and the BRO men had worked tirelessly in the freezing cold, said BRO, Director General R.M. Mittal. Vehicles would be allowed in a day or two.