Himachal Weather News
Himachal Pradesh News : 800+ roads remain blocked in Himachal two days after snowfall; nearly 2,000 transformers damaged
Normal life continues to remain disrupted across Himachal Pradesh even two days after heavy snowfall, with 832 roads, including three national highways, still closed for traffic, while 1,942 power distribution transformers remain damaged, officials said on Monday.
Normal life continues to remain disrupted across Himachal Pradesh even two days after heavy snowfall, with 832 roads, including three national highways, still closed for traffic, while 1,942 power distribution transformers remain damaged, officials said on Monday.
Although the situation has improved slightly, restoration work is progressing slowly in several snowbound regions.
The Public Works Department (PWD) managed to reopen around 450 roads on Sunday, bringing down the number of closed routes from nearly 1,300 on Saturday evening. However, connectivity in many interior and high-altitude areas is yet to be restored.
Among the key highways, NH-03 and NH-505 in Lahaul-Spiti and NH-305 in Kullu district continue to remain closed. NH-05, which connects Shimla to Kinnaur, was only partially reopened late in the evening after remaining shut due to slippery conditions on a five-kilometre stretch between Kufri and Fagu.
Several trucks and buses had got stranded near Kufri when snowfall began on Friday, further delaying traffic clearance.
The prolonged closure has hit the local tourism industry hard. Hoteliers and residents in Kufri and Fagu complained that tourists have been unable to reach the area even two days after the snowfall, resulting in financial losses.
“It’s just a five-kilometre stretch between Kufri and Fagu. With better preparedness, it could have been cleared much earlier. We haven’t received essentials like bread, milk and vegetables for the last three days,” said a resident of Fagu.
District-wise, Lahaul-Spiti remains the worst affected with 280 blocked roads, followed by Shimla (234) and Mandi (110).
Power supply has also taken a hit, though there has been some improvement. The number of damaged transformers has reduced from nearly 6,000 on Saturday to 1,942 as repair teams continue restoration work.
Meanwhile, disruption to water supply schemes has worsened, with the number of affected schemes rising to 245. Shimla and Kullu districts are the worst hit, with 131 and 81 schemes, respectively, impacted.
Authorities said efforts are underway round the clock to restore road connectivity, electricity and water supply, while residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel in snowbound areas.
