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Himachal Snowfall Cripples Roads & Power: 560 Highways Blocked, 4,800 Transformers Down

Widespread snowfall and rainfall have severely disrupted Himachal Pradesh, blocking 563 roads and affecting 4,797 electricity distribution transformers. The worst impact is in Lahaul and Spiti district, where 290 roads are blocked and two national highways remain closed. While water supply schemes are largely unaffected, restoration efforts are prioritized but dependent on weather conditions. Authorities have advised against unnecessary travel in higher reaches as teams work to clear roads and restore power.

Key Points: Himachal Snowfall Blocks 560 Roads, Disrupts 4,800 Power Transformers

  • Over 560 roads blocked
  • Nearly 4,800 power transformers disrupted
  • Lahaul and Spiti worst-hit district
  • National highways NH-03 and NH-505 closed
  • Restoration work underway
2 min read

Snowfall, rain lash Himachal; over 560 roads blocked, nearly 4,800 power transformers disrupted

Heavy snowfall and rain lash Himachal Pradesh, blocking over 560 roads including national highways and disrupting nearly 4,800 electricity transformers.

"The current spell of snowfall and rain has caused extensive damage to road connectivity and power infrastructure - State Disaster Management Authority"

Shimla, January 23

Widespread snowfall and rainfall across Himachal Pradesh have severely disrupted public utilities, with more than 560 roads blocked and nearly 4,800 electricity distribution transformers affected, the State Disaster Management Authority said on Friday.

According to the Evening Public Utility Status Report issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at 6:00 pm, a total of 563 roads, including two national highways, were closed due to snow accumulation, landslides, and adverse weather conditions. The number of disrupted DTRs rose to 4,797, compared to 4,274 reported in the morning hours.

"The current spell of snowfall and rain has caused extensive damage to road connectivity and power infrastructure in several districts. Restoration work is underway on priority, subject to weather conditions," an official of the State Disaster Management Authority said.

The worst impact was reported from Lahaul and Spiti, where 290 roads were blocked and both NH-03 (Koksar-Rohtang Pass-Darcha-Sarchu) and NH-505 (Gramphu-Batal-Lossar) remained closed due to heavy snowfall. Several internal roads, including the Tandi-Khadhu Nallah stretch, were also shut.

In the Chamba district, 105 roads were blocked and 659 DTRs disrupted across multiple subdivisions, including Pangi, Bharmour, Tissa, and Salooni. Mandi reported 64 road blockages and 901 DTR disruptions, while Solan district recorded the highest number of power disruptions, with 1,856 DTRs (Distribution Transformers of the Electricity supply) affected.

In Kullu, snowfall led to the blockage of nine roads and the disruption of 682 DTRs, mainly due to faults in high-tension power lines. Sirmaur and Una districts also reported road closures and power outages, while Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kangra remained largely unaffected.

The SDMA said no major disruption to water supply schemes was reported anywhere in the state. However, the District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) in Shimla was unable to submit its detailed report due to a power outage and a generator failure caused by fuel-related issues.

Authorities have advised commuters and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel in higher reaches and follow advisories issued by district administrations. Restoration teams from the Public Works Department and power utilities have been deployed to clear roads and restore electricity as soon as weather conditions improve.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Nature's fury is a stark reminder of our vulnerability. While the scale is huge, I appreciate that the disaster management authority is being transparent with hourly reports. Stay safe, Himachal! Our prayers are with you.
A
Aman W
Lahaul & Spiti cut off again. 290 roads! This happens every winter. Isn't it time for a more permanent solution or better winter preparedness? The people there suffer immensely. Jai Himachal.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. We complain about a slight chill, while our fellow citizens in the mountains are battling real hardship. Salute to the PWD and electricity department workers on the ground.
V
Vikram M
The report says Shimla's own DEOC couldn't file a report due to power failure and generator issues. Irony much? If the disaster management center itself isn't resilient, how can we expect a robust public response? A respectful criticism for the authorities to look into.
K
Kavya N
Tourists, please heed the advisories and avoid travel. Your holiday shouldn't become a rescue operation for the already stretched local resources. Let the teams work on restoring essentials first.
M
Michael C
4800 transformers is a massive number. The economic loss from business disruption alone will be huge

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