Himachal Pradesh (Rajeev Sharma): Persistent snowfall in the upper regions of Himachal Pradesh has led to the closure of the Manali-Leh highway, leaving many travellers stranded and disrupting movement toward Ladakh. The closure comes amid an intense cold spell gripping the region following fresh snowfall and widespread rainfall across several districts.
According to local officials, the road was blocked near Darcha, a high-altitude location in Lahaul-Spiti, after heavy snow made it unsafe for vehicular travel. Gondhla reported the heaviest snowfall at 30 cm, followed by Keylong (15 cm), Hansa (5 cm), and Kukumseri (3.2 cm), making travel through the region extremely challenging.
State Faces Harsh Weather Across Regions
The Meteorological Department confirmed that higher elevations in Kullu, Mandi, and Lahaul-Spiti districts saw significant snowfall overnight, while lower areas were battered by rain and strong winds. These weather conditions have impacted normal life and raised concerns over road safety and accessibility.
Rainfall data shows Naina Devi topping the chart with 132.6 mm, followed by Solan with 119.6 mm, Barthin (78.6 mm), Pachhad (78.2 mm), and Kasauli (68 mm). Other locations, including Bilaspur, Dharampur, and Bharmani, also experienced intense showers, leading to slippery roads and reduced visibility.
In addition, thunderstorms were reported from areas such as Kangra, Murari Devi, Shimla, Palampur, and Sundernagar. Gusty winds swept through Narkanda, Kufri, Neri, and Tabo, further deteriorating weather conditions in the hilly stretches.
Temperatures Plummet as Winter Sets In Early
With mercury levels dropping below normal, the cold wave has tightened its grip on the region. Kukumseri recorded the lowest temperature at -2.5°C, marking one of the coldest nights this season. Residents in the high-altitude valleys are bracing for an early onset of winter, even as the post-monsoon period continues.
Rainfall Surplus Raises Seasonal Alarm
The recent weather activity has pushed the state’s rainfall figures well beyond seasonal averages. Between October 1 and 7, Himachal Pradesh recorded 44.2 mm of rainfall — an increase of over 625% compared to the usual 6.1 mm expected during the same period.
Weather to Ease After Thursday
Forecasters expect the current system to persist through Thursday, bringing isolated rain and snowfall to mid and upper hills. However, weather conditions are likely to improve heading into the weekend, with dry weather predicted to return to most areas.
Travel Advisory in Place
Local authorities have advised against non-essential travel in snow-prone zones and urged residents and tourists to follow official weather updates. Restoration work on the Manali-Leh route will begin once conditions allow safe passage.
The state government is closely monitoring the situation and has mobilized emergency services to assist in areas most affected by snowfall and rain.
