FIRST SHOWFALL OF THE SEASON

Leh, October 19, 2009
Leh town and its surrounding areas have experienced snowfall in the morning for the second consecutive today. It was the first major snowfall of the winter season leaving the mountains and trees cladded with snow amidst greenery. The Leh town looked enveloped in white blanket of fresh snow and every one was enjoying it, especially the tourists.

According to Leh Police Control Room, there had been more than two inches in the low lying areas and about one ft at Khardongla pass.

Today, due to snow fall, the Leh- Manali highway was suspended for traffic to avoid untoward accidents. Khardong la pass was remained closed for traffic due to snowfall in the morning and cloudy weather at the pass. This pass is the only gateway to the Siachen Glacier where the defense personnel are posted and to the Nubra valley sub division.

Following snow fall, the cold wave started to intensify in the region with day temperature plummeted to minus 3 degree celcius and the maximum temperature was 6 degree celcius.

MUHARRAM IN LEH-LADAKH

Leh, December 28, 2009
Beating their chests, flagellating themselves severely on foreheads shouting religious slogans hundreds of Shia Muslims carried out their Muharram procession through the Leh bazaar today.

Many of them were seen carried away to the ambulance after falling unconscious. A large number of spectators also turned up to witness this religious sense of mourning over the sufferings of Imam Hussain on the day of Ashurah known among Shia Muslims as 'the day of grief', and which is called Yaumu-l 'Ashurah.

Shia Muslims in Leh are mainly concentrated in the Chushot village of the Indus River belt, which is about 12 kilometers from the Leh town.