Severe weather conditions continue to disrupt life in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir as heavy snowfall and intense cold waves have led to significant challenges, including road closures and power disruptions. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for severe cold in multiple regions, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, while Jammu and Kashmir braces for the ongoing ‘Chillai-Kalan’ winter period.
Himachal Pradesh: 226 Roads Closed Due to Snowfall
In Himachal Pradesh, a total of 226 roads, including three major national highways, were closed after heavy snowfall affected several districts, according to news agency PTI. Key roads such as Attari and Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu district, Khab Sangam in Kinnaur, and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti have been blocked due to the harsh weather conditions. The closure of roads has caused major disruptions in daily life and travel.
Higher-altitude regions including Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Chamba, and Dalhousie are experiencing sub-zero temperatures, while the plains of Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Sirmaur, Solan, and Kangra are facing severe cold waves. The IMD has predicted that rain and snow will continue in isolated areas, particularly in Shimla, from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest precipitation expected on Saturday. Dense fog has also affected travel in certain areas like Sundernagar and Mandi.
An ‘orange’ warning for severe cold was issued for Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur, and Mandi, with a ‘yellow’ warning for dense fog in the Bhakra Dam reservoir area and the Balh Valley in Mandi.
Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir: Heavy Snowfall and Freezing Temperatures
In neighboring Uttarakhand, heavy snowfall has led to the relocation of stray cows in Badrinath to lower valleys in Chamoli district. Cold winds have been sweeping through the state, and high-altitude areas like Chamoli and Uttarkashi have received fresh snow, while lighter snow showers were reported in lower regions. Tabo in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the lowest temperature in the state, plunging to minus 10.6°C.
Power supply disruptions were also reported, with 173 transformers affected across Himachal Pradesh. The state’s emergency operation center indicated that 123 roads were closed in Shimla, 36 in Lahaul-Spiti, and 25 in Kullu due to the snowstorm. Local residents and tourists who hoped for a white Christmas in Shimla were disappointed as the city experienced bright sunshine on Wednesday morning.
Chillai-Kalan in Jammu and Kashmir: Temperatures Continue to Drop
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir is enduring a prolonged cold wave, with temperatures dropping across most locations. On Tuesday night, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 7.3°C, further decreasing from the previous night’s minus 6.6°C. The region is currently experiencing ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the harshest 40-day winter period that began on December 21. During this period, both maximum and minimum temperatures are usually well below normal, and heavy snowfall is frequent.
The IMD forecasts that minimum temperatures in the region could drop by another 2-3°C in the coming days. During ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ many water bodies and supply lines have frozen, causing disruptions to daily life and activities. This period ends on January 30, but cold conditions persist into the following periods, ‘Chillai-Khurd’ (small cold) and ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold).
As the cold wave continues to affect these regions, authorities are urging residents and travelers to take precautions and stay updated on weather warnings.
Sources By Agencies
