Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA
Fresh snowfall at Atal Tunnel, Rohtang and adjoining Solang Nullah early Tuesday (January 6, 2026) intensified the cold wave conditions across Himachal Pradesh, sending temperatures further down and adding to winter chill in both hill and plain areas of the state.
Light to moderate snowfall was reported in Solang Nullah and near the south portal of the Atal Tunnel, leading to slippery road conditions. As a precautionary measure, authorities restricted the movement of ordinary vehicles beyond Solang Nullah, allowing only four-wheel-drive vehicles to pass through the tunnel towards Lahaul.
Despite the restrictions, a large number of tourists thronged Solang Nullah, enjoying the fresh snow and winter scenery. Traffic congestion was reported up to Nehru Kund due to vehicle restrictions, though normal movement was restored later in the day after weather conditions improved.
Several vehicles were briefly stranded near Dhoondi amid snowfall, prompting police and local administration to assist commuters and regulate traffic. Officials advised tourists to follow traffic advisories and avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound areas.
Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti sees season’s coldest night
The cold wave tightened its grip across the state, with tribal areas recording extremely low temperatures. Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti witnessed the season’s coldest night so far, with the minimum temperature plunging to minus 10.8 degrees Celsius. Kukumseri recorded minus 7.1 degrees, while Keylong, Kalpa and other higher reaches also continued to remain below freezing point.
In the lower hills and plains, night temperatures dropped sharply, making conditions bitterly cold. Shimla recorded a minimum temperature of 2.5 degrees Celsius, while several other towns including Solan, Palampur, Sundernagar and Mandi remained close to the freezing mark. In contrast, bright sunshine during the day provided partial relief in the state capital and adjoining areas.
Dense fog disrupts visibility in plains
Dense fog continued to affect several low-lying districts, including Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur, reducing visibility during morning and evening hours. In Una district’s Bangana area, a major road accident was narrowly averted when a Scorpio vehicle skidded on a sharp curve and rammed into a roadside wall due to poor visibility. Although the vehicle was badly damaged, all five occupants escaped unhurt as airbags deployed in time.
The Meteorological Centre, Shimla, has predicted the possibility of light snowfall at isolated higher reaches over the next 24 hours, followed by generally clear weather across the state from January 7 to 12. However, cold wave conditions are expected to persist due to icy winds.
A yellow alert for dense fog during morning and evening hours has been issued for seven districts — Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Sirmaur — till January 10. The Met office has also warned that minimum temperatures may fall by another 2-3 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours before gradually rising in the coming days.
