Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh has shut 354 roads, including four national highways

Due to the ongoing severe snowfall in Himachal Pradesh’s upper regions, over 354 routes, including four national highways (NH), have been blocked to vehicular traffic.

As many as 292 roads, including two NHs, have been blocked in the tribal districts of Lahaul and Spiti, 33 in Kinnaur, 10 in Mandi, 8 in Chamba district, 9 in Kullu, 2 in Shimla, and 1 in Kangra district, according to the State Disaster Management Authority.

In addition, the state has experienced disruptions to up to 1,314 electrical supply systems and 10 water supply schemes.

In the central and lower hills of the state, heavy precipitation persisted despite a red weather warning, while heavy snowfall persisted in the higher regions of Chamba, Kinnaur, Lahaul, and Spiti.

Kalpa, Sangla, and Chitkul in Kinnaur and Udaipur in Lahaul and Spiti had around 45 cm of snowfall, while Pangi in Chamba and the Atal Tunnel in Rohtang received 30 cm, Keylong received 25 cm, Kaza received 8 cm, and Chanshal in the Shimla district received 5 cm.

Comparably, Una saw 14 mm of rain, Paonta Sahib saw 8 mm, Kasauli saw 7 mm, Nahan saw 4 mm, Manali saw 3.7 mm, and Bilaspur saw 0.1 mm. On Saturday, there was also light to moderate rainfall in Shimla and the surrounding districts.

According to Surender Paul, head of the state meteorological service, there will be significant snowfall and rainfall across the state until March 3.

“On March 4 and 5, the weather will stay dry in the plains, low, and middle hills, while snowfall and rainfall will persist in the higher reaches,” he said.

For March 3, a yellow weather warning has been issued for ten districts, with the exception of Lahaul, Spiti, and Kinnaur.