Himachal Pradesh: Rain, Snowfall Cause Closure Of 104 Roads And 3 Highways. Yellow Alert Issued

The Border Roads Organisation has deployed personnel and equipment to alleviate the blockade, with traffic anticipated to resume within the next two to three hours, as confirmed by a spokesperson.

A snow-covered area after fresh snowfall at Rashel village, in Lahaul & Spiti district.

Source : PTI

New Delhi: The serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh were disrupted as snowfall blanketed higher reaches and rain lashed the mid and lower hills, causing significant disruptions to normal life. A staggering 104 roads and three national highways were rendered impassable, with vehicular movement halted to Keylong due to a sizable landslide near Sissu on the Manali-Keylong highway, officials said.

Lahaul and Spiti bore the brunt of the closures, with 99 roads shuttered by the heavy snowfall. Critical routes like Gramphu-Losar, Darcha-Sarchu, and Rohtang Pass were among those blocked, officials added further, reported PTI.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has deployed personnel and equipment to alleviate the blockade, with traffic anticipated to resume within the next two to three hours, as confirmed by a spokesperson.

Himachal Pradesh Weather: Yellow Alert Issued For Sunday And Monday

However, challenges persist as the local meteorological station has issued a yellow warning for thunderstorms at isolated locations on April 22 and 23.

Additionally, forecasts indicate rain in the mid hills and rain coupled with snowfall in higher elevations for the ensuing six days, spanning from April 21 to April 26. This prediction aligns with the impending influence of a fresh western disturbance expected to impact northwest India from April 22 onwards, as per PTI.

Koksar received 19 cm of snowfall, followed by Gondla recording 16.5 cm, Keylong 8.5 cm and Kukumseri 2.4 cm, according to weather data. As widespread rains lashed mid and lower hills, Bharmaur and Chamba were the wettest with 25 mm rain, Tissa 24.3 mm Solan 24 mm, Rajgarh  20.4 mm, Kalpa 20.2 mm, Renuka 19.4 mm, Kukumseri 19.3 mm, Reckong Peo, Dalhousie, Koksar and  Shillaro 19 mm.

Shimla and its surrounding areas received intermittent rain accompanied by lightning and the sky remained heavily overcast. Farmers and fruit growers are a worried lot as stormy conditions and hailstorms are harmful for apple and wheat crop.