Heavy snowfall chokes Manali roads, tourists stranded as authorities issue warning
Many videos circulating on social media show cars and buses getting stuck in long traffic jams as the snow continues to fall, forcing people to spend the night on the roads. Many vehicles were seen covered in thick layers of snow.
Sharing one such video, one
Another viral clip highlighted the dangers of icy roads by showing a car sliding uncontrollably on its own due to slippery conditions.
Himachal Pradesh witnessed widespread rain and snowfall in the last 24 hours after prolonged drought; this has dramatically lowered temperatures across the state and disrupted normal life; However, this has raised hopes for farmers, fruit growers and the tourism industry.
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla Meteorological Centre, most places experienced light to moderate rain and snowfall in the last 24 hours, while heavy rain and snow were recorded at a few places. IMD data showed a sharp drop in maximum temperatures at most stations, remaining 5 to 12 degrees Celsius below normal. Minimum temperatures have also dropped significantly. The lowest minimum temperature was recorded at minus 7.2 degrees Celsius at Kukumseri in Lahaul-Spiti, while Bajaura in Kullu reported the highest maximum temperature at 18.2 degrees Celsius.
Very heavy rains were reported in many areas. 91.4 mm rainfall was recorded in Dharampur, 68.6 mm in Solan and 67 mm in Kandaghat. Palampur, Una, Nahan and Seobagh also received over 50 mm of rain. In terms of snowfall, Kothi received 105 cm, Gondla 85 cm, Keylong 75 cm, Kufri 66 cm, Manali 45.8 cm and Shimla around 40 cm.
Extreme weather conditions led IMD to declare severe cold day conditions in Shimla, Manali, Mandi, Bilaspur and Hamirpur, while severe cold wave conditions prevailed in Kangra district. High winds were also reported to have reached 81 kilometers per hour in Narkanda and 70 kilometers per hour in Shimla.
IMD attributed the weather to a westerly disturbance in the form of a low pressure area over Jammu and adjoining Pakistan supported by cyclonic circulation and a strong subtropical westerly jet stream. The ministry warned that another western disturbance would affect northwest India from January 26 and could potentially bring another round of rain and snowfall, especially on January 27, with heavy rain or snow likely at isolated places in the high hill regions.
Looking ahead, IMD predicts light to moderate rain and snowfall in many places on January 27, followed by a gradual improvement in weather conditions. In the coming days, minimum temperatures are expected to increase by 2-3 degrees Celsius and maximum temperatures by 6-10 degrees Celsius. Dry weather is expected to prevail in most parts of the state on January 29 and 30.
Meanwhile, authorities have advised residents and tourists to exercise caution, especially in high-altitude and landslide-prone areas, as road blockages, slippery conditions and reduced visibility are likely during periods of heavy rain and snow. So far, more than 600 roads remain closed across the state.
ANI Input
