Shimla: Heavy snowfall and rain in Himachal Pradesh have led to the blockage of 583 roads, including five National Highways, according to the State Disaster Management Authority. Additionally, 2,263 distribution transformers (DTRs) are down, disrupting power supply in many areas.
As of Friday, 279 water supply schemes have also been affected, leaving several regions without essential services. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged residents to stay away from rivers and streams, particularly in Kullu, which has been hit hard by the weather. He emphasized the need for caution and adherence to guidelines from authorities.
“I have been monitoring the situation since morning. I urge everyone to be careful and follow the administration’s advice. Avoid rivers and streams,” Sukhu stated in a press conference. He mentioned that authorities have been instructed to open the gates of a dam for a power project as heavy rains have caused flooding and landslides in Kullu.
Intense snowfall has been reported in the higher Himalayan areas of Lahaul and Spiti, with the Meteorological Centre in Shimla issuing alerts for heavy rain and snowfall in several districts, including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi.
Deputy Commissioner of Kullu, Torul S. Ravish, has advised residents to stay indoors until water levels decrease. “Many link roads and the main road on the left bank have been blocked due to continuous rains for the past 15-16 hours. I request the public to remain where they are, as river levels have risen. Sudden landslides could lead to increased water flow. Restoration work for electricity in Manali and Kullu is ongoing,” he said.
He also noted that there is a report of one foot of snow in Manali, and educational institutions in the district are closed today due to the heavy rain. The main national highway from the Jalori side is currently closed as well.