Shimla, February 28 : Severe snowfall and torrential rains have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, disrupting daily life and forcing authorities to shut down schools in Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur, Kullu, and Chamba districts. The extreme weather has led to the closure of over 300 roads, including four national highways, while power supply remains severely affected in multiple areas.
Lahaul-Spiti: The Worst-Hit District
Lahaul-Spiti remains the most affected region, with continuous heavy snowfall for the fourth consecutive day. The district has recorded snow accumulation between 2.5 to 5 feet, bringing normal life to a standstill.
✔ Key impacts:
- Roads blocked, power and water supply disrupted
- Residents confined indoors due to extreme conditions
- Essential services severely impacted
Kullu: Roads Closed, Schools Shut Amid Heavy Snowfall
Kullu district is experiencing nonstop snowfall and rain for the third consecutive day. Two national highways are blocked, and power outages have hit high-altitude regions. Landslides in rural areas have further disrupted connectivity.
✔ All educational institutions shut down due to severe weather
✔ Kullu-Manali roads heavily impacted
✔ Authorities issue weather warnings
Manali Buried Under Fresh Snowfall
The famous tourist town of Manali has received over a foot of fresh snow, while:
- Solang Valley recorded 2.5 to 3 feet of snow
- Atal Tunnel received around 4.5 feet of snow
- Manali-Atal Tunnel-Lahaul highway (NH-3) is now closed
Authorities have issued an avalanche warning, urging locals and tourists to exercise extreme caution.
Chamba’s Pangi Valley Cut Off
The Pangi Valley in Chamba district is facing a complete shutdown due to heavy snowfall exceeding one foot. Roads are blocked, and power & water supply have been disrupted. Authorities have declared a weather emergency, keeping all schools shut.
✔ Key routes like Chamba-Jot and Chamba-Khajjiar highways closed
Sirmaur Faces Rising River Levels Amid Heavy Rainfall
Sirmaur district continues to receive relentless downpours for the second straight day, causing a sharp rise in water levels of Giri, Bata, and Yamuna rivers. Authorities have issued a high-alert warning, urging people to stay away from riverbanks.
⚠ Landslide warnings have also been issued for vulnerable areas.
⚠ Emergency helpline (1077) activated for public assistance.
Shimla Region: Roads Blocked, Severe Cold Wave
The upper reaches of Shimla district are witnessing heavy snowfall, resulting in:
- Closure of major highways
- Traffic diversion via Sunni and Sainj roads
- 16 link roads blocked in Rampur subdivision
- 38 distribution transformers and 19 water supply schemes affected
❄ Dodra-Kwar region remains cut off, with power outages persisting. However, BSNL’s mobile network has been restored.
Snowfall Records & Coldest Areas
📌 Latest Snowfall Measurements:
- Kothi (Kullu): 120 cm
- Khadrala (Shimla): 115 cm
- Keylong (Lahaul-Spiti): 75 cm
- Kalpa (Kinnaur): 46 cm
- Kukumseri (Lahaul-Spiti): 38 cm
- Sangla (Kinnaur): 23 cm
🌡 Freezing temperatures recorded in:
- Kalpa, Keylong, Kukumseri, Tabo, and Sio Bagh – all below zero degrees
Weather Forecast & Alert Until March 4
🌨 Orange alert issued for heavy snowfall and rain today
🌨 Bad weather expected across Himachal until March 4
🌨 Clear skies expected by March 5-6
Accidents & Infrastructure Damage
🚨 Bus accident near Banala:
- A private bus traveling from Manali to Pathankot met with an accident due to landslides and falling boulders.
- Driver Jaswant Singh and conductor Ankush injured, receiving treatment at Nagwain CHC Hospital.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
