Himachal Pradesh, India:
Normal life across Himachal Pradesh was thrown out of gear on Friday as widespread snowfall and rain disrupted road connectivity and power supply in several districts, according to a report by the United News of India (UNI). The adverse weather conditions affected daily movement, essential services, and inter-district travel.
Data shared by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) indicated that at least 563 roads were blocked due to snow accumulation, including two national highways. Power supply was also severely impacted, with nearly 4,800 distribution transformers reported to be non-functional across the state.
Lahaul and Spiti emerged as the worst-affected district, where around 290 roads were closed. Key routes connecting remote areas, including roads towards Rohtang and Sarchu, were rendered inaccessible, leaving the tribal region largely cut off. Heavy snowfall in higher reaches continued to hamper restoration efforts.
Chamba district reported more than 100 road closures, particularly in areas such as Pangi, Tissa, Salooni, and Bharmour. Mandi also saw significant disruption with over 60 roads blocked, while Una, Sirmaur, Kullu, Kangra, and Solan reported partial road closures. Bilaspur and Hamirpur districts remained unaffected. In Shimla district, a complete assessment of road status could not be carried out due to a power outage at the local emergency office.
Power infrastructure was hit hardest in Solan district, where over 1,800 transformers were disrupted. Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, and Sirmaur also reported large-scale outages, while Lahaul and Spiti and Una recorded comparatively fewer disruptions.
The Shimla Meteorological Office reported extreme cold conditions in the state capital, with temperatures dipping close to the freezing point. Shimla received substantial snowfall, further intensifying the cold wave and affecting normal activity.
In Kullu district, fresh snowfall of over a foot led to the suspension of vehicular movement on major roads. Several surrounding areas recorded moderate snowfall, while parts of the district experienced rainfall, adding to slippery and unsafe road conditions.
National Highway-03, particularly the Jhiri–Manali stretch, was blocked due to heavy snow deposits. Traffic towards the Atal Tunnel was suspended as a precaution, and routes leading towards Rohtang Pass also remained closed. Another national highway section near Aut was blocked where snow depth reportedly reached nearly three feet.
Local roads, including the Bhuntar–Manikaran route, were closed following incidents such as tree falls, further restricting movement. Although some alternative routes were technically open, authorities stopped traffic due to safety concerns arising from snow-covered roads.
Police and district administrations have advised residents and tourists to avoid non-essential travel and strictly adhere to official advisories. According to officials, restoration and clearance work will resume in full scale once weather conditions stabilise.
