Rainfall owing to the fresh western disturbancehave devastated Himachal Pradesh and thrown normal life out of gear. As many as 400 roads, including four national highways, are currently closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh due to incessant rains.
The vehicular traffic on four national highways in Himachal Pradesh was disrupted on Thursday (March 7) owing to heavy snowfall and rain in several areas in the hill state. The closure, which has been primarily attributed to adverse weather conditions, had left many vehicles stranded.
According to the state emergency operation centre, of the 383 roads shut, 286 are closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 33 in Kinnaur, 27 in Chamba, 19 in Kullu, 15 in Shimla, two in Mandi and one in Kangra district.
As a consequence of the weather-related disruptions, 629 transformers are reported to be out of order, and 22 water supply schemes have been disrupted, according to the emergency operation centre.
Fresh western disturbance to bring thunderstorms to Himachal
Meanwhile, the meteorological department has issued a warning about a fresh western disturbance anticipated to impact the Western Himalayan region starting from the night of March 10. This disturbance is likely to result in thunderstorms and rain, particularly in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the state emergency operation centre, road closures are most extensive in Lahaul and Spiti (286 roads), followed by Chamba (51 roads), Kinnaur and Kullu (24 roads each), Shimla (21 roads), Mandi (two roads), and one road in Kangra district.
‘Yellow’ alert issued for Himachal
The meteorological department has sounded a ‘yellow’ warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places from March 11 to 13.
In the past 24 hours, Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded 3.8 cm of snow, with Manali receiving the highest rainfall at 10 mm, followed by Bhuntar at 2.2 mm and Pandoh at 1 mm.
Nighttime temperatures dipped significantly, with Kukumseri recording the coldest temperature at minus 6.8 degrees Celsius. Kalpa followed at minus 1.6 degrees, Manali at 2.6 degrees, and Kufri at 2.7 degrees Celsius.
Other notable temperature recordings include Dalhousie at 3.2 degrees Celsius, Bharmaur at 3.5 degrees, Sarahan at 3.5 degrees, and Shimla at 4.1 degrees Celsius.