Snow paralyzes Himachal : Traffic Halted, Power Disruptions, and Road Closures across State

For the past two days, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed intense snowfall, transforming hills into picturesque landscapes draped in a pristine white cover. However, the flip side reveals significant disruptions – traffic standstills, power supply interruptions, and the hindrance of drinking water projects across the state. The heavy snowfall has led to the formation of ice on roads, escalating the risk of accidents due to increased slipperiness.

Upper Shimla Cut Off as Snowfall Takes Toll on Traffic:

Snowfall in Shimla district has forced the closure of Upper Shimla for traffic. The Shimla Police urges people to assess weather conditions before embarking on journeys, advising travel only when absolutely necessary. The roads of Upper Shimla have become perilously slippery after the snowfall, resulting in a temporary halt to traffic. Bus services to Shimla city and vehicles in Sanjauli Bypass remain suspended.

Road Closures Across Shimla:

Shimla Police reports 18 inches of snow in Khadapathar, leading to road closure. Narkanda faces road closures with up to two feet of snow accumulation, while Nankhadi experiences a 5-inch snow blockade. Kufri, a popular tourist destination, grapples with a 1-foot snowfall, disrupting road access. Snowfall in Mashobra renders roads slippery, causing a standstill in traffic. Despite slippery conditions in Shimla city, traffic from Shimla to Solan continues without disruption.

441 Roads Blocked, Power Transformers Stalled:

Following the intense snowfall, 441 roads and 1506 DTR are closed for traffic in Himachal Pradesh. The state witnesses 677 stalled power transformers, with Lahaul-Spiti being the hardest hit, closing 139 roads. Additionally, Kinnaur, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla report closures of 20, 11, 14, and 13 roads, respectively. Lahaul Valley remains snow-covered, experiencing continuous snowfall for the third day. The South Portal of Atal Tunnel in Lahaul Valley faces over two feet of snowfall, isolating the region from the rest of the country and the world.