Shimla: Heavy and uninterrupted snowfall over the last 24 hours has brought normal life to a grinding halt in Himachal Pradesh, with all major roads in the state capital Shimla and key national highways, including the Chandigarh–Shimla–Manali corridor up to the Atal Tunnel, closed for traffic.
In Shimla, all arterial roads — including the Cart Road, Circular Road and roads connecting Tara Devi, Victory Tunnel and the city’s peripheral stretches — were shut as continuous snowfall since early morning made surfaces extremely slippery.
The capital city remained virtually cut off, forcing residents and tourists to move on foot as vehicular movement came to a complete standstill.
While authorities struggled to clear roads, the snowfall turned Shimla into a winter postcard.
It has been snowing in Solan and Kasauli as well, exploding the myth that climate change has turned weather too hot for snowing in Shimla, what to speak of Solan.
Old timers recall the Shimla had experienced heavy snowfall even as late as on March 10, in 2010. Upper Shimla area had recorded over 3 ft of snow then.
After nearly four months of dry weather, locals and tourists poured out in large numbers, walking from the Mall Road to the Ridge, soaking in the rare spectacle of thick snowflakes cascading across the city.
Majestic deodar forests stood draped in white, drawing cheers from tourists, hoteliers, pony owners and street vendors alike.
Superintendent of Police, Shimla, Sanjeev Gandhi confirmed that all roads in and around the city had been closed as a precautionary measure.
“Traffic movement has been completely stopped due to heavy snowfall and slippery conditions. People are advised not to venture out unless absolutely necessary,” he said.
The Public Works Department (PWD) and the Shimla Municipal Corporation pressed snow-clearing machinery, including JCBs and blowers, into service.
However, engineers admitted that continuous snowfall has hampered clearance operations.
“Our machines are ready, but the intensity of snowfall is very high. We will begin full-scale clearance once the snowfall eases,” a senior PWD engineer said.
The impact of the snowfall extended far beyond the capital. The National Highway connecting Chandigarh–Shimla–Kufri–Fagu–Theog–Narkanda–Kumarsain–Rampur remained closed at multiple points.
State highways linking Theog–Hatkoti, Theog–Chela–Deha–Chopal–Nerwa and other apple belt roads were also shut, cutting off several interior villages.
In upper Shimla district, areas such as Narkanda, Khadapattar, Charki, Khidki, Baghi and Khadrala recorded over half a foot of fresh snow, while higher reaches continued to receive heavy snowfall through the day.
The Chandigarh–Manali National Highway also remained closed as heavy snow lashed Solang Valley and areas on way to the Atal Rohtang Tunnel, where more than one foot of snow was recorded since morning.
Beyond Manali, all roads in Lahaul-Spiti and upper Kinnaur remained shut. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials said snow clearance on strategic border roads was currently not possible due to ongoing snowfall.
The Maling Nullah road in Kinnaur is closed. Snowfall in Pooh, Kalpa, Nako is continuing.
“Our teams and equipment are on standby. Clearance will begin as soon as weather conditions permit,” a BRO official overseeing roads in Lahaul-Spiti and upper Kinnaur said.
The heavy snowfall also disrupted power supply in several areas after transmission lines snapped under the weight of wet snow. Electricity restoration teams have been deployed, but officials said repairs would take time if snowfall continues.
Essential supplies were partially affected. While milk and dairy supplies reached Shimla city by morning, services beyond Kufri, Theog and Fagu were disrupted.
Despite the disruptions, farmers across the apple belt heaved a sigh of relief. The snowfall has ended a nearly four-month-long dry spell that had caused severe moisture stress, forest fires and inadequate chilling hours for apple orchards.
Experts say the snow will recharge water sources, revive springs and improve groundwater levels, besides boosting hydropower generation, which has remained low since December.
Authorities have urged tourists to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. Disaster management and rescue teams remain on high alert, though officials admitted that continuous snowfall is making operations challenging.
Weather officials said the snow spell is expected to continue, and more closures are likely.
