Chamba, June 22: An unusual June snowfall temporarily blocked the Dalhousie-Lakkarmandi-Khajjiar route in Himachal Pradesh on Monday, stranding numerous vehicles before authorities cleared the path. The unexpected weather event brought traffic to a complete standstill in the Chamba district for nearly two hours, prompting a swift response from local infrastructure teams.
The Public Works Department mobilized heavy machinery to the site immediately after the blockage occurred. An official managing the clearing operations affirmed, “Earth movers were deployed without delay to clear the accumulation and ensure the safe passage of stranded commuters.”
While the sudden flurries caused immediate logistical challenges on the roads, the rare seasonal transition delighted travelers visiting the hill station. Many visitors expressed excitement at witnessing winter-like conditions during the peak of summer, turning the traffic delay into an impromptu sightseeing opportunity.
This high-altitude snowfall follows a broader pattern of turbulent weather across the region, as light to moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning swept through parts of Himachal Pradesh over a twenty-four hour period starting Sunday evening. Regional precipitation totals showed Jot receiving 22.8 mm of rainfall, followed by Slapper at 14.3 mm, Dhaulakuan at 9 mm, and Bharmaur at 5 mm, while Sundernagar, Sangla, Manali, and Shimla also recorded varying levels of downpours.
Looking ahead, weather monitoring agencies advise continued caution for residents and travelers in the coming days. A representative from the Shimla Meteorological Centre stated, “A yellow warning has been issued for thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour, which are expected to impact isolated locations across the state over the next four days.”
