Himachal Pradesh has been plunged into chaos as heavy snowfall and rainfall in the past two days triggered a series of avalanches and landslides, resulting in the closure of over 650 roads, including five national highways. The dire situation has disrupted normal life across several districts of the state.
The latest calamity struck Lahaul and Spiti district early Sunday morning when an avalanche hit a village, obstructing the flow of the Chenab river and prompting authorities to issue alerts in neighboring areas. Although no casualties have been reported thus far, the avalanche has caused significant disruption and raised concerns among residents.
Multiple avalanches and landslides have been reported across various regions, with Lahaul and Spiti bearing the brunt of the natural calamities. Avalanche occurrences have been recorded at locations such as Dara waterfall near Jasrat village and Tandi bridge in Lahaul sub-division. Additionally, avalanches occurred in Rashel village, Jobrang, Lohni, Udaipur village, and near the Karcham helipad in Sangla, Kinnaur district.
The closure of over 650 roads, including five national highways, has severely hampered transportation and connectivity in the hill state. Lahaul and Spiti district are the worst affected, with 290 roads shut down, followed by Shimla (149), Chamba (100), Kinnaur (75), Kullu (32), Mandi (5), and Kangra (1).
Authorities have issued advisories urging residents to exercise caution and seek assistance from local police posts in case of emergencies. Efforts are underway to clear blocked roads and restore traffic movement, although challenges persist due to ongoing inclement weather conditions.
Life in several districts, including Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and Chamba, has been disrupted as heavy snowfall has led to power outages and communication breakdowns. The supply of essential commodities, such as milk, bread, vegetables, and newspapers, has been severely affected in upper Shimla regions.
The meteorological department reported substantial snowfall across various areas, with Rohtang receiving the maximum snowfall at 150 cm in the last 24 hours. Intermittent rain has also been recorded in several parts of the state, with Manali being the wettest region.
Sources By Agencies
