Manali: For the last three days, Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, and Pangi have been plunged into darkness

after heavy snowfall snapped power transmission lines. The Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) has completely failed to restore electricity in the snowbound region, leaving both locals and tourists in distress amid freezing temperatures.

Ever since Manali was hit by nearly one-and-a-half feet of fresh snowfall, the town and surrounding areas have been without power. While parts of  SDM office  locality  have electricity, the rest of the town and its surrounding region is struggling with a complete blackout.

With no field staff on the ground, broken transmission lines and faulty transformers remain unattended, worsening the crisis.

Residents are battling sub-zero temperatures without heating, hot water, or even basic connectivity.

"Our batteries are drained, backup power is gone, and without electricity, we can’t even charge our phones or access the internet.

We are completely cut off," said a local resident. Offices and businesses have come to a standstill, adding to the chaos.

Tourists, who had flocked to Manali for the snow, now find themselves trapped in a cold nightmare.

"We thought we’d enjoy the snow, but there’s no power, no hot water, and no way to contact anyone. We are stranded," said a tourist from Delhi.

The situation is equally grim in Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi, where power failures have left communities shivering in harsh winter conditions.

With temperatures plummeting to extreme lows, people are struggling to keep warm.

Despite repeated complaints, HPSEBL officials admit they have no linemen or field staff available to fix the snapped cables.

"We are facing a severe manpower shortage," an official said, offering little hope for a quick resolution.

As the weather continues to remain rough, residents and tourists are left to suffer.

The big question remains—why hasn’t HPSEBL ensured a reliable power supply in these high-altitude regions, especially when winter blackouts are a recurring issue?

They had power shutdowns for maintenance in summer months, But when the real test comes  in winter they have no answer, resented the residents.

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Electricity Restored After Four Days in Fozal Valley Amid Heavy Snowfall

Fozal Valley, Kullu: After four days of isolation due to heavy snowfall, electricity was finally restored in Fozal Valley and Sheldi orchards around 7 PM today.

Since February 27, the region had been cut off from the outside world, with nearly eight inches of snow accumulating in the area.

"For four days, we were completely disconnected from the world," said Himal Singh Thakur, a local resident.