Shimla, Jan 27: Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday led to the closure of National Highway-05, effectively severing the road link between Shimla and its upper reaches, including the Kinnaur district. The Shimla district administration confirmed that the Hindustan-Tibet Road faced significant blockages at Kufri, Fagu, and Narkanda, leaving hundreds of commuters stranded in long traffic queues.
The administrative authorities are working to restore connectivity, though the persistent weather conditions have complicated clearing operations. “The highway was blocked at Kufri, Fagu, and Narkanda due to heavy snow, disrupting traffic movement along the route,” an official from the Shimla district administration noted while discussing the current road status.
The higher reaches of the state, particularly Lahaul and Spiti, recorded substantial snow accumulation over the last 24 hours. Gondla received 22 cm of snow, while Koksar and Kukumseri followed with 21.3 cm and 19 cm, respectively. In the Kinnaur district, Kalpa and Sangla also saw fresh layers of snow. Alongside the snow, rain lashed several parts of the state, with Una receiving 14.4 mm and Dharamshala recording 12.2 mm.
Temperature levels have plummeted across the region, with Tabo village in Lahaul and Spiti recording the lowest temperature at minus 8.9°C. The state capital, Shimla, maintained a minimum of 6°C, while other areas like Narkanda and Kalpa saw the mercury dip below the freezing point.
