The regional meteorological center in Shimla has issued an ‘Orange’ alert for Himachal Pradesh, signaling forecasts of snowfall across the state for the next two days. The weather department has warned of light to moderate snowfall at most places and heavy snowfall at isolated places, particularly in the lower Himalayan regions. The advisory includes alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, and hailstorms until February 6.
The weather forecast follows the recent snowfall in Himachal Pradesh since January 31, causing disruptions in vehicular movement. Approximately 485 roads, including four national highways, are currently closed for traffic. The state emergency operation center provided information on the blocked roads, with Shimla having 161, Lahaul and Spiti having 153, Kullu having 71, and Chamba district having 58 blocked roads. Additionally, 485 transformers and 68 water supply schemes are facing disruptions.
Public Works Department (PWD) officials are actively involved in extensive efforts to swiftly clear the snow from the roads as part of ongoing operations, according to the administration.
Shimla, the state capital, experienced a brief spell of snowfall on Saturday, bringing delight to locals and tourists in Himachal Pradesh. However, the ongoing snowfall has led to challenging conditions, and authorities are working to address the aftermath.
Intense cold wave conditions persist in the rest of Himachal Pradesh, with temperatures remaining one notch below normal. The maximum temperature in the hill state also stayed below normal, and the overall weather remained dry. During the night, Kukumseri recorded the lowest temperature at minus 8.1 degrees Celsius, with Narkanda, Kalpa, Dalhousie, and Manali experiencing chilly conditions at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius, minus 3.7 degrees Celsius, minus 3.1 degrees Celsius, and minus 1.8 degrees Celsius, respectively. Shimla registered a minimum nighttime temperature of 1.8 degrees Celsius.
The cold wave conditions extended throughout the North Indian region, with the national capital Delhi recording a temperature of 6.7 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal. Dense fog in several areas continues to disrupt vehicular movement in Delhi. The challenging weather conditions are prompting residents and authorities to take necessary precautions and make preparations for further disruptions.