Snow And Rain Lash Himachal Pradesh, 3 National Highways Among 168 Roads Closed

A total of 168 roads including three national highways in Himachal Pradesh were closed for vehicular traffic after several parts of the state received fresh snowfall.

A total of 168 roads including three national highways were closed in Himachal Pradesh after the higher reaches and tribal areas of the state received fresh spell of snow. The low and middle hills were also lashed by intermittent hail and rains on Saturday. The local MeT office predicted a wet spell in Himachal Pradesh till April 4, news agency PTI reported. 

Several roads faced issues due to the snowfall, 168 roads including National Highways were closed off for traffic in the state on Friday night as per the data of the state emergency operation centre.

An incident involving a Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus occurred near Maling in the Kinnaur district in the morning, where the bus overturned after skidding in the snow. However, no casualties were reported, an official stated.

In the Atal tunnel in Rohtang near Manali, traffic came to a halt following heavy snow. Kalpa and Kukumseri received 5 cm of snow followed by Keylong with 3 cm of snow in the past 24 hours.

As per the PTI report, most of the closed roads are in difficult terrain in Lahaul and Spiti, where 159 roads are still to be opened.

Meanwhile, intermittent rains, accompanied by lightning and gusty winds, were witnessed in Shimla, the state's capital, and some other areas. Hailstorms added to commuting difficulties in Solan.

The local MeT office issued an orange warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail, heavy rains, and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) at isolated places in seven out of the state's 12 districts on Saturday.