Shimla: A powerful spell of snowfall over the past 24 hours has brought daily life to a near halt across large parts of Himachal Pradesh, disrupting transport, power supply and essential services. Hundreds of roads have been closed, while electricity outages were reported from thousands of locations, officials said on Saturday.
According to the state Meteorological Department, Kothi near Manali recorded the highest accumulation, receiving 105 cm of snow. Gondla in Lahaul and Spiti followed closely with 85 cm, while Keylong registered 75 cm. Significant snowfall was also reported from Khadrala (68.6 cm), Kufri (66 cm), Manali (45.8 cm), Shillaroo (45 cm), Kukumseri (41.4 cm), and Jot (32 cm). Several other regions, including Sangla, Shimla, Bharmaur, Kalpa and Sarahan, witnessed moderate to heavy snowfall.
Alongside snow, intense rainfall lashed many lower and mid-hill areas. Dharampur in Mandi district received the highest rainfall at 91.4 mm, followed by Solan (68.6 mm), Kandaghat (67 mm), Una (54.2 mm), Palampur and Nagrota Suriyan (53.2 mm each), and Nahan (51.9 mm).
The sharp drop in temperatures added to the severity of conditions. Shimla recorded a minimum of minus 0.5 degrees Celsius, while Manali dipped to minus 0.4 degrees. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti emerged as the coldest spot in the state, with temperatures plunging to minus 7.2 degrees. Other areas, including Kalpa, Narkanda and Tabo, also experienced sub-zero conditions.
Transport services were badly affected, especially in Kangra district, where 58 bus routes were suspended after fresh snowfall in McLeodganj and surrounding villages such as Naddi, Dharamkot and Bhagsunag. The accumulation of snow and formation of ice made roads unsafe for travel, officials said.
District Magistrate Hemraj Bairwa urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary journeys to higher altitudes and strictly follow safety advisories. He warned that blocked roads, slippery surfaces and the risk of avalanches could pose serious dangers.
Weather officials have forecast mostly dry conditions in the lower and mid-hill regions over the next 24 hours, though heavy snowfall is expected to continue in the higher reaches. Authorities remain on alert as restoration teams work to reopen roads and restore essential services.
