Heavy snow blocks 441 roads, isolates Lahaul in Himachal

PTC News Desk: Heavy snowfall wreaked havoc on normal life in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti and Kullu district today, leading to the closure of several roads. The Manali-Leh highway, including the Atal Tunnel route, was impassable due to heavy snow between Manali and Keylong, effectively isolating the residents of the Lahaul valley from the rest of the state.

In Lahaul and Spiti, a staggering total of 292 roads were blocked, including two national highways. Lahaul subdivision alone saw 86 road closures, with 48 roads blocked in Udaipur subdivision and 156 in Spiti. Additionally, the Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu and Manali-Leh highways were rendered inaccessible.

Reports emerged of a house damaged in Salpat village, Udaipur subdivision, due to heavy snowfall. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. However, power supply disruptions compounded the challenges, leaving large parts of Lahaul and Spiti in darkness. While partial power restoration was achieved in Keylong by evening, the situation remained grim.

In a separate incident, an avalanche near Nehru Kund on the Manali-Leh highway buried five vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties were reported as no one was inside the vehicles at the time.

441 roads, including five national highways, blocked

1. 441 roads, including five national highways, have been blocked due to snowfall in Himachal Pradesh.
2. Daily life in Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur districts has been severely impacted by the heavy snowfall.
3. The Met office in Shimla has issued a 'red warning' for Saturday, predicting thunderstorms with lightning, hailstorms, heavy rain, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 km per hour.
4. The remote Dodra Kwar subdivision of Shimla district has been isolated from the rest of the state due to blocked roads near Negulsari on the Shimla-Kinnaur Road caused by shooting stones.
5. The Rohtang Pass has been closed due to heavy snowfall.
6. Snow and rain are expected to persist across the state until Sunday.
7. Dry weather is anticipated in the plains and low to mid hills during March 4-5, while snowfall and rainfall will continue in the higher reaches.
8. Kalpa recorded the lowest temperature in the state at minus 2.1°C, while Dhaula Kuan in Sirmaur district recorded the highest temperature at 23.7°C.

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Meanwhile, Kullu district faced its own set of challenges, with heavy rain causing the Sarvari water stream to overflow, inundating a parking lot and sheds of migrant laborers. Seventeen roads, including the Aut-Luhri highway, were blocked in Kullu, with landslides obstructing the Manikaran road.

The adverse weather conditions also affected transportation, with a jeep carrying examination papers skidding off the road in Kaza. Prompt action by the police ensured the safety of the occupants, averting any injuries.

Lahaul and Spiti Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar confirmed the dire situation, stating that all roads in the district were impassable, bringing traffic to a standstill. Despite the challenges, efforts were underway to restore power supply and address the aftermath of the snowfall.

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(Inputs from agencies)

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