Manali: (National Times) Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under heavy snowfall and rainfall, leading to widespread disruptions in daily life. Over 200 roads have been closed, power and water supply has been affected, and several regions remain cut off due to extreme weather conditions.
Major Disruptions Across Key Districts
The worst-affected areas include Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba, where continuous snowfall has disrupted connectivity. In Dodra-Kwar (Shimla district), roads leading to the valley remain inaccessible. Several schools in Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba have been closed today as a precautionary measure.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that snowfall will continue throughout the day, with an orange alert in place for Kinnaur, Lahaul & Spiti, Chamba, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Manali (Kullu district). Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected in these areas, with extremely heavy snowfall at isolated locations.
Avalanche & Flash Flood Threats
Authorities have also issued warnings about avalanche risks in higher-altitude regions, particularly in Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, and Kinnaur, with an orange alert valid until 5 PM on February 28. In Tosh village (Kullu district), the formation of an artificial lake in Jeera Nallah has sparked concerns about potential flash floods, prompting evacuations of residents from downstream areas.
Traffic & Travel Disruptions
Several highways and major roads have been blocked due to snowfall and slippery conditions:
- National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) is closed near Narkanda (Shimla district).
- Traffic has been diverted from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri/Sunni.
- 12 roads are blocked in Shimla district.
- Routes such as Darcha-Shinkula, Darcha-Sarchu, Koksar-Manali via Rohtang, Koksar to Losar via Kunzum, and Atal Tunnel to Manali, Tindi, and Udaipur remain inaccessible.
Authorities have advised travelers to avoid these routes until conditions improve.
Weather Forecast & Temperature Updates
The IMD has issued:
- Orange alert for heavy snowfall in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba for Thursday and Friday.
- Yellow alert for heavy snow in Lahaul and Spiti and a mix of rain and snow in Shimla district.
In terms of temperature, Tabo (Lahaul and Spiti) recorded the coldest night at -4.5°C, while Nahan experienced the highest daytime temperature at 23.2°C.
Authorities have urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly in avalanche-prone regions, and follow safety advisories until weather conditions stabilize.
