Himachal hit by heavy snowfall and rain, causing widespread disruption, 5 cm rainfall in Kufri

Himachal Pradesh experienced a harsh start to the week with heavy snowfall and rainfall on Monday, creating chaos across the state. Popular tourist spots like Kufri saw 5 cm of fresh snow, while areas like Gondla in Lahaul Spiti received 4 mm of rain, and Keylong recorded 1 cm of snow. Rainfall was also widespread, with significant amounts in Pandoh (22 mm), Gohar (15 mm), and Banjar (12.2 mm), among others.

The adverse weather conditions have led to dangerous roads and traffic jams, particularly in Shimla, Lahaul Spiti, and Kullu. Hundreds of vehicles were stranded overnight, especially near the Atal Tunnel, where only four-wheel-drive vehicles with snow chains were allowed to pass. The local administration worked tirelessly to evacuate tourists, but freezing temperatures, slippery roads, and dense fog complicated efforts. Visibility was reduced to just 50 meters in Bilaspur and 100 meters in Una and Mandi, while fog in Sundernagar further slowed traffic.

The drop in temperatures has been significant, with the maximum temperature falling by 4°C over the last 24 hours. Una recorded a high of 23.4°C, while Keylong was the coldest at -2.5°C. Other areas like Shimla, Manali, Kalpa, and Dharamshala also reported low temperatures. Despite the scenic beauty of fresh snow, the severe weather has caused disruptions in daily life, with farmers facing delays in work and local businesses struggling with logistics.

Tourists, while enjoying the snow, are contending with cold and limited mobility, making travel challenging. Fortunately, the weather department has forecast clearer skies for the next four days, although it has warned of more snowfall in higher-altitude areas starting January 11, and dense fog in the plains on January 7 and 8, which may further complicate travel.