A total of 134 roads, including three national highways, were closed in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy snowfall across several districts, officials reported on Wednesday. The state experienced a biting cold wave, with temperatures dropping significantly, and Koksar received 5.6 cm of snow in the past 24 hours.
Other areas such as Khadrala and Shilaroo recorded 5 cm each, followed by Pooh (2 cm), Sangla (1.2 cm), and Keylong, Gondla, and Jot (1 cm each). Tabo in the Lahaul and Spiti district was the coldest place, with a night temperature of minus 10.6 degrees celsius, while Una was the warmest during the day, reaching 23.6 degrees celsius.
The snowfall led to the closure of several key roads, including those in Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Notable closed roads included the Attari and Leh highways, Sanj to Aut in Kullu, Khab Sangam in Kinnaur, and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 77 roads were closed in Shimla district, 25 in Kullu, 36 in Lahaul and Spiti, and 14 in Mandi. In addition, 65 transformers were disrupted, affecting power supply in several areas.
The Met Office reported significant rainfall in parts of the state, with Bhuntar receiving 9.7 mm, Rampur 9.4 mm, Shimla 8.4 mm, Bajaura 8 mm, Seobagh 7.2 mm, Manali 7 mm, Gohar 6 mm, Mandi 5.4 mm, and Jubbarhatti 3.8 mm.
The weather office has predicted more rain and snow at isolated locations, particularly in Shimla, on Friday and Saturday. The cold wave continues to affect Mandi, Manali, Chamba, Una, Hamirpur, and Sundernagar, while dense fog has been observed in Sundernagar and moderate fog in Mandi.
An ‘orange’ warning for severe cold has been issued for Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi, while a ‘yellow’ warning for dense fog has been issued for areas around the Bhakra Dam reservoir and the Balh Valley in Mandi on Thursday and Sunday.