Fresh snowfall hits Himachal and Uttarakhand, roads blocked amid winter storm alert

Himachal Pradesh witnessed fresh snowfall in isolated and higher-altitude areas, while mid and lower hills experienced light rainfall, leading to road closures on Thursday.

Since Wednesday night, Shilaroo recorded 5 cm of snowfall, followed by Gondla with 3 cm, Kalpa with 1.3 cm, and Sangla with 0.3 cm. Reports indicate that upper areas of Manali, Narkanda, Rohru, and Chansal in Shimla, along with Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti, also received fresh snow.

Due to heavy snowfall in Manali’s higher reaches, roads beyond Nehru Kund have been shut for most vehicles.

The Lahaul and Spiti Police have urged commuters to avoid unnecessary travel and, if required, to drive cautiously, use fog lights, and follow safety guidelines.

Similarly, National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) was closed at Narkanda, with traffic being rerouted through Sainj to Shimla via Luhri.

Many parts of the state also experienced light to moderate rainfall, with Dalhousie recording the highest at 22 mm, followed by Sundernagar (21 mm), Bharmour (18.2 mm), Dharamshala (16.8 mm), and Manali (16 mm).

Other affected areas included Mandi, Kangra (14.4 mm each), Bhuntar (13.6 mm), Bilaspur (13 mm), and Una (10 mm). Shimla, lashed by thunderstorms, received mild rain.

The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rain, snowfall, and thunderstorms in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi on Thursday, warning of further disruptions. A fresh Western Disturbance is expected to impact Northwest India starting February 24.

In terms of temperature, the coldest spot was Keylong in Lahaul and Spiti, which recorded a low of -2.3°C on Wednesday night.

The previous night, Tabo had dipped to -7.3°C. Meanwhile, Kangra was the warmest place on Thursday, recording a daytime high of 26.4°C.

This winter, Himachal Pradesh has received just 33 mm of rainfall from January 1 to February 20, significantly below the normal 154 mm, reflecting a 79% deficit.

Fresh Snowfall in Uttarakhand Brings Back Wintry Conditions

Uttarakhand's higher-altitude areas were blanketed in fresh snow early Thursday, while lower regions experienced intermittent drizzle, breaking a month-long dry spell and reviving winter-like conditions in the plains. Dehradun also saw sporadic rainfall, lowering temperatures further.

Snowfall began in Gangotri and Yamunotri temples and Harsil Valley in Uttarkashi district early in the morning and continued through the day, according to Gangotri priest Rajesh Semwal. He described the snowfall in Mukhba, the winter home of Goddess Ganga, as a mesmerizing sight for pilgrims visiting the Chardham Yatra.

Similarly, Yamunotri priest Shekhar Uniyal confirmed ongoing snowfall in Kharsali village, the winter residence of Goddess Yamuna. "Snowfall has been ongoing in Kharshali, Janakichatti, Narayan Puri, and Phoolchatti areas around Yamunotri Dham since 4 AM, while lower areas of Barkot tehsil are receiving drizzle," he said.

The upper reaches of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, and the Valley of Flowers National Park, along with the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary, are now covered in fresh snow. Popular skiing destinations Auli and Chopta have also received snowfall, much to the delight of tourists.

Overcast conditions prevailed across the plains of Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar, adding to the winter chill.