Key Points
- 4 people have died due to the snowfall in Himachal Pradesh.
- 223 roads, including national highways, are closed because of heavy snow.
- Shimla and Manali are seeing a rise in tourists despite the bad weather.
- 145 roads are closed in Shimla, and 356 transformers have failed across the state.
- Rescue teams are helping stranded tourists, especially in the Atal Tunnel.
- Snowfall has been reported in several regions, with Khadrala getting the most (24 cm).
Looma News
Heavy snow in Himachal Pradesh has caused 4 deaths and significant disruptions, with 223 roads closed, including three national highways. Areas like Kinnaur, Lahaul, Spiti, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Sirmaur have been especially affected by the snowstorm. National highways from Attari to Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu, Khab Sangam in Kinnaur, and Gramphoo in Lahaul-Spiti are all shut due to dangerous road conditions.
In the past 24 hours, several vehicles slid off the road, leading to deaths and injuries. The state disaster team has rescued nearly 500 vehicles, including tourists stuck in the Atal Tunnel. Despite these challenges, tourist activity remains high, with room bookings in Shimla up by 30% compared to last December. The region’s snow-covered hill stations continue to draw visitors, even with the bad weather.
Though the state has sent out 268 snow-clearing machines, including two snow blowers, many areas are still without power due to 356 transformer failures. Authorities are urging tourists to follow local advisories and avoid driving in snow-covered areas for their safety. Snowfall measurements include 24 cm in Khadrala, 16.5 cm in Sangla, and 7 cm in Shimla, with light snow also seen in Manali and Dalhousie on Monday evening.
