Heavy snowfall has hit normal life in upper reaches of Himachal Pardesh and in many parts of the world including Afghanistan and Japan.

The heavy snowfall in most parts of tribal districts of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi and Bharmour in Chamba districts of Himchal Pradesh have led to closing of most of the interior roads and disrupting the communication network.

Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner J.M.Pathania said that snow cutters have been deployed to clear the roads.

The met department has predicted dry weather during next few days.

In Afghanistan, at least 16 people have been killed during heavy snow fall and severe cold in various provinces.

Reports quoting provincial officials in northern Farah province said four people including children died in Gulistan district and 12 people lost their lives in Darzab and Qoshtepa districts of Jowzjan province.

According to the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority several mud houses have been destroyed due to heavy snow fall and people also lost their livestock due to several cold.

In Japan, the capital city of Tokyo and other areas are having the heaviest snowfall in two decades leaving five dead and over 600 injured.

More than 740 flights were grounded as the weather agency issued a severe storm warning and more than 40,000 households went without power.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, up to 27 centimetres of snow has been recorded in Tokyo, making it the heaviest snowfall since February 1994.