Heavy snowfall in Himachal: 563 roads including 5 national highways closed, several areas without power

January 24, 2026

The four-month-long drought in Himachal Pradesh has ended with heavy snowfall and rain. Following a weather department alert, several parts of the state were blanketed in snow on Friday. Tourist destinations like Shimla, Manali, Dalhousie, and Chail received their first snowfall of the season. Lower regions of Himachal Pradesh experienced heavy rainfall, with hailstorms reported in several places.

Due to the heavy snowfall and rain, 563 roads, including five national highways, have been closed. Several areas of the state, including Upper Shimla, have been cut off. Thousands of tourists are stranded in various locations. 100 people were rescued from Kufri-Fagu and 48 from Ragupurgarh in Ani. Power outages have affected hundreds of villages due to 10,384 transformers being out of service. The rain and snowfall are expected to revive crops and boost tourism. Tourists in Shimla and Manali enjoyed the snowfall on Friday. ​​Meanwhile, all educational institutions in Manali and Banjar sub-divisions have been closed. All events of the Manali Winter Carnival have been cancelled.

Snowfall continued throughout the day in several areas of Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, and Chamba districts. A blizzard also hit Shimla and Lahaul-Spiti. The heavy snowfall and blizzard made it difficult for people to walk in Shimla. Hundreds of tourist vehicles were stranded for hours on the capital’s roads.

Transportation services have been disrupted due to the closure of hundreds of roads, including the Ani-Kullu, Shimla-Kinnaur, Manali-Leh, Hatkoti-Paonta Sahib, and Chamba-Bharmour national highways. Hundreds of buses are stranded. The supply of milk, bread, and other essential commodities has also been affected. The snowfall and rain have led to a drop in temperature.

The minimum temperature in Shimla, Manali, and Dalhousie dropped to near freezing point. Due to heavy snowfall and rain, 563 roads, including five national highways, have been closed in the state. Several areas, including Upper Shimla, have been cut off. Thousands of tourists are stranded at various locations. 100 people were rescued from Kufri-Fagu and 48 from Ragupurgharh in Ani.

Electricity is out in hundreds of villages due to 10,384 transformers being out of service. The rain and snowfall are expected to be beneficial for crops and boost tourism. On Friday, tourists enjoyed the snowfall in Shimla and Manali. Meanwhile, a holiday has been declared in all educational institutions in Manali and Banjar sub-divisions. All events of the Manali Winter Carnival have been cancelled.