Shimla: While Jammu & Kashmir grapples with severe weather, neighboring Himachal Pradesh has come to a virtual standstill. The first major snowfall of the season has ended a three-month dry spell but triggered a widespread infrastructure crisis. As of Saturday evening (Jan 24), official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) confirm that 1,291 roads have been blocked across the state.
Infrastructure & Power Collapse
The severity of the storm has overwhelmed local systems, with even the Shimla District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) reportedly losing power earlier today, briefly hampering the coordination of rescue and data collection efforts.
- Roads: A total of 1,291 roads, including four National Highways, are currently shut. Worst-hit districts include Lahaul and Spiti (290+ roads) and Chamba (105+ roads). The Shimla–Lower Districts highway remains blocked near Heeranagar.
- Power: Electricity infrastructure has been crippled with 5,032 distribution transformers (DTRs) out of service. Solan is the worst hit with 1,856 outages, followed by Mandi (901).
- Transport: The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) has suspended approximately 800 bus routes due to extreme skidding risks.
Tourist Hotspots Under Snow
- Manali: The town has recorded roughly one foot (30 cm) of snow on the Mall Road, while higher reaches like Kothi have seen up to 105 cm (approx 3.4 ft).
- Shimla: The state capital recorded 27 cm of snow. While NH-5 remains open to ISBT, internal roads like Sanjauli and Lakkar Bazaar are mostly restricted to pedestrians.
- Water Supply: Severe cold—with Kukumseri hitting -7.2°C—has led to frozen water pipes in half of Shimla’s zones and tribal areas, disrupting supply despite major pumping schemes remaining functional.
Key Highlights: The Forecast
- Yellow Alert: IMD Shimla has issued a Yellow Alert for heavy snowfall and rain through Jan 28.
- Next Wave: A fresh Western Disturbance will hit on Monday, January 26, bringing a prolonged wet spell.
- Danger Zones: High-altitude areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Kinnaur remain under high avalanche risk.
FAQ Section
A: No. With over 1,200 roads closed and multiple national highways blocked, inter-state travel is highly dangerous.
A: PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh confirmed that 385 machines are deployed, including 78 departmental JCBs and 18 specialized robotic snow cutters for high-altitude passes. Officials aim to clear 655 roads by tonight.
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AUTHORSHIP & TRANSPARENCY
Reported by: KittoNews Desk
Edited by: Senior Desk
Source Transparency: Data sourced from State Emergency Operations Centre (HP), HPPWD Minister’s briefing, and IMD Shimla Bulletin (Updated Jan 24, 2026).
Community Question: “Are you stuck in Himachal or J&K? Share your location in the comments to help our team update the live map.”
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