Shimla, Jan 19 (IANS): The 'Queen of Hills', as this popular destination is fondly called, Saturday woke to a heavy snow blanket, snapping power and electricity supplies.

All local transportation in and out of Shimla were cancelled and thousands braved the bone-chilling weather.

Between one and three feet snow has fallen here since Friday, a Met official said.

The town, which saw a low of minus 1.5 degrees Celsius, saw the highest snowfall in the past eight to 10 years, said the official.

Local civic authorities said overnight snow has caused severe traffic disruption.

Shimla Municipal Corporation deputy mayor Takinder Panwar told IANS that there were reports of the closure of all major roads due to landslides triggered by snowfall.

"We expect to restore electricity, water and road network later today (Saturday)," he said.

There were five incidents of road blocks due to falling of trees, but none of them were serious, Panwar added.