Munish Sood
Shimla/Manali
Himachal Pradesh witnessed the season’s first widespread snowfall on Thursday, covering high-altitude regions in a thick white blanket and significantly affecting road connectivity, power supply, and daily life across several districts. While tourists celebrated the fresh snow in popular destinations, authorities issued travel advisories amid rising safety concerns.
Heavy Snowfall in Manali, Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel
Fresh snowfall was reported in Manali and its surrounding areas, including Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel region, where five to six inches of snow has accumulated. Due to slippery road conditions and poor visibility, the Leh–Manali National Highway has been closed beyond Nehru Kund up to Solang Nallah. Only four-wheel-drive vehicles are being allowed on limited stretches.
Manali Police said that continuous snowfall has made road conditions unsafe for vehicular movement, increasing the risk of accidents. Residents and tourists have been advised to stay indoors or at their hotels and avoid unnecessary travel.
Power Supply Hit, Political Reaction Follows
Snowfall also disrupted electricity supply in the Manali Assembly constituency. Former MLA Govind Thakur criticised the state government over repeated power failures, stating that even light snowfall or rainfall leads to voltage fluctuations and prolonged outages. He alleged that claims of resolving power infrastructure issues in Manali do not match ground realities.
Tourists Thrilled by Sudden Weather Change
Despite disruptions, tourists visiting Manali expressed excitement over witnessing live snowfall. Visitors said the sudden change in weather made their trip memorable, especially as the region experienced clear skies and sunshine just a day earlier.
Shimla and Upper Areas Remain Cut Off
In Shimla, continuous snowfall has rendered most city roads slippery and unsafe. Key routes in Kufri, Narkanda, Khidki, Khadapathar and Deha–Chaupal have been closed. Police have urged people to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary and have issued emergency helpline numbers for assistance.
Severe Impact in Lahaul-Spiti
Lahaul-Spiti district remains one of the worst affected regions. As per official data, out of 290 Public Works Department roads, 134 in Lahaul, 60 in Udaipur and several routes in Spiti are blocked due to heavy snowfall. Major routes including Koksar–Rohtang Pass, Darcha–Sarchu, Gramphu–Battal and Sumdo–Losar remain closed. Authorities said road restoration will depend on weather improvement.
Power supply in Lahaul has also been hit after the 33 KV Thirot–Karga transmission line was damaged. Electricity department officials said restoration work is underway despite challenging conditions, with over one foot of snow recorded in the area.
Snow Brings Relief to Kinnaur Farmers
In tribal district Kinnaur, the first snowfall of the season has brought relief to farmers, orchardists and tourism stakeholders. Light to moderate snowfall was recorded in Chitkul, Nesang, Kalpa, Sangla and Rakchham. Apple growers, who had been concerned due to prolonged dry conditions, termed the snowfall a positive sign for upcoming crops.
Advisory Issued
The Meteorological Department has indicated that snowfall may continue in higher reaches. The district administrations have urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and rely only on official advisories for updates.
