FRESH SNOWFALL DELIGHTS TOURISTS IN INDIA'S NORTHERN STATE

NATURAL WITH HINDI AND ENGLISH SPEECH

DURATION: 2.09

SOURCE: ANI

TV AND WEB RESTRICTIONS: NO ACCESS BBC

Fresh snowfall delights tourists in northern India.

Fresh snowfall delights tourists and locals in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh.

SHOWS:

MANALI, HIMACHAL PRADESH, INDIA (JANUARY 30, 2011) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC)

1. HILLS AND HOUSES COVERED WITH SNOW

2. SNOW ACCUMULATED ON ROOFS OF HOUSES

3. A SIGN BOARD READING 'HIGHLAND PARK'

4. A FOOTHILL COVERED WITH SNOW

5. PEOPLE WALKING ON SNOW

6. TOURISTS WAVING

7.WOMEN WATCHING SNOWFALL

8. PEOPLE HOLDING UMBRELLAS

9. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi/English) TANVI, TOURIST, SAYING: "We are delighted to come here, it is a very beautiful place. Since we are here with family and friends so we are enjoying even more and luckily it is snowing also so we are enjoying a lot."

10. TOURISTS WALKING ON SNOW

11. A TOURIST SKIING

12. TOURISTS CLICKING PICTURES

13. TOURISTS SKIING

14. (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) SAHIL CHAUHAN, TOURIST, SAYING: "It is feeling as if we have come to heaven after coming to Manali, it is snowing here and there are a lot of tourists as well. We are enjoying a lot and locals are also giving us lot of love hence I feel like staying back here."

15. SNOW ACCUMULATED ON BRANCHES OF A PLANT

16. SNOW

17. TOURISTS WALKING ON SNOW

18. SNOWFALL

STORY: Fresh snowfall covered the hill town of Manali in India's northern state of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday (January 30).

The lower regions of the state experienced rainfall as the higher regions witnessed mild snowfall.

The fresh spell of snowfall delighted tourists who are visiting the town for vacations.

"We are delighted to come here, it is a very beautiful place. Since we are here with family and friends so we are enjoying even more and luckily it is snowing also so we are enjoying a lot," said Tanvi, a tourist from nearby Chandigarh city.

Tourists could be seen enjoying the snowfall as they took to skiing and other snow sports organised by local operators.

"It is feeling as if we have come to heaven after coming to Manali, it is snowing here and there are a lot of tourists as well. We are enjoying a lot and locals are also giving us lot of love hence I feel like staying back here," said Sahil Chauhan, a tourist from New Delhi.

The neighbouring area of Solang Nala experienced six inches of snowfall. Temperature plummeted after a slightly dry spell.

For many, the state is a holiday paradise especially during winters as large number of tourists flock to Manali and capital Shimla to witness snowfall.