Shimla/Manali, 28 February — Heavy snowfall and rainfall over the past 24 hours have disrupted life across Himachal Pradesh, shutting down over 200 roads and affecting power and water supply.
Several areas in Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba remain cut off, while authorities have issued an orange alert for more snow and rain.
The meteorological department has warned of light to moderate snowfall in most places, with isolated areas in Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti expected to receive very heavy snow. Higher reaches in Chamba, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, Kangra, and Manali are also under alert. Rainfall is likely to continue in other parts of the state.
In Shimla, continuous rainfall was recorded overnight, prompting a yellow alert for light snowfall and more rain. Educational institutions in the city will remain open, but those in Lahaul and Spiti and Chamba will be closed today due to severe weather.
Traffic disruptions have worsened, with National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) blocked near Narkanda due to slippery conditions. “Vehicles have been diverted from Sainj to Shimla via Luhri and Sunni,” an official stated, adding that 12 roads in Shimla district are currently closed.
A flash flood threat in Tosh village, Kullu, has triggered evacuations after an artificial lake formed in Jeera Nallah. “Residents downstream have been shifted to safer locations,” officials confirmed.
Fresh snowfall has also heightened the avalanche risk, leading to an orange warning for Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and areas above 2,300 meters. The advisory remains in effect until 5:00 p.m. on February 28. “Travel to high-altitude areas should be avoided,” Lahaul and Spiti police cautioned.
Several major routes, including Darcha-Shinkula, Darcha-Sarchu, Koksar-Manali via Rohtang, Koksar-Losar via Kunzum, and Atal Tunnel to Manali, Tindi, and Udaipur, are blocked due to heavy snow. Travelers have been urged to stay off these roads.
The MeT department has also issued an orange alert for isolated heavy to very heavy rain and snow in Mandi, Kangra, Kullu, and Chamba on Thursday and Friday, alongside a yellow alert for heavy snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti and heavy rain and snow in Shimla.
Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest night temperature at minus 4.5°C, while Nahan saw the highest daytime temperature at 23.2°C.
