Himachal Pradesh is reeling under the impact of heavy snowfall, which has brought life to a standstill in several areas.
While the snowfall has brought joy to many, especially farmers and horticulturists who anticipate a good crop season, it has also caused significant hardships for residents. Numerous roads remain blocked, and essential services like electricity and water supply have been disrupted.
In Shimla district, five major roads and 27 link roads are currently closed. Additionally, 25 water supply schemes have been affected, and 15 power transformers are out of order, leaving the entire Dodra Kwar subdivision without electricity.
Road closures in Shimla
According to the District Disaster Management Authority, Shimla, has 15 major roads and 669 link roads. Some national highways, including NH-5, NH-705, and NH-205, pass through Shimla district.
While traffic on the national highways has been diverted to alternate routes, major roads like the Deha-Chopal road, Rohru-Chanshal-Dodra road and Rohru-Rampur Road remain inaccessible.
Link roads, services severely impacted
Additionally, Jubbal subdivision is facing electricity outages due to the failure of 15 transformers. Water supply schemes in the district have also taken a hit, with 23 schemes disrupted in Jubbal and two in Kumarsain.
All departments, including the Public Works Department and the Electricity and Irrigation Departments, are working around the clock to restore essential services and ensure road accessibility. The administration has appealed to residents to remain patient and assured that efforts are being made to resolve the issues promptly.
While the snowfall has delighted tourists and nature enthusiasts, the challenges faced by locals underscore the difficulties of living in mountainous regions during harsh winters.