Heavy Snowfall Hits Himachal Pradesh: 600+ Roads Shut, Power Outages Hit Thousands; Fresh Snow Likely from Jan 31

Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh has severely disrupted daily life, cutting off road connectivity in several districts and leaving thousands of households without electricity. As the state struggles to restore normalcy, the weather department has warned of another spell of snow and rain starting January 31, raising fresh concerns over travel and safety in the hills.

According to official data, a total of 655 roads, including key national highways, remain closed due to snow accumulation and icy conditions. Remote regions such as Lahaul and Spiti continue to bear the brunt, while popular tourist districts like Shimla and Kullu are also heavily affected.

Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: Which Roads Are Closed Right Now?

Road connectivity has been hit across almost every region of the state, with some of the most crucial routes still blocked.

• Lahaul and Spiti remain the worst affected, with 287 roads closed, including NH-03 (Leh–Manali) and NH-505 (Kaza–Gamphu)
• Shimla district has 135 blocked roads, impacting daily commuters and the apple belt areas
• Kullu has 81 closed roads, including NH-305 (Aut–Luhri–Sainj)
• Mandi reports 77 road closures, while Chamba has 40
• Kinnaur remains partially cut off, with 27 roads blocked
• Smaller disruptions are reported in Sirmour, Una and Kangra

Authorities continue snow clearance operations, but fresh snowfall could delay reopening efforts.

Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: Power Outages Worsen Situation Across Districts

In addition to road blockages, heavy snowfall has damaged the electricity infrastructure across the state. As many as 669 power transformers remain non-functional, plunging several areas into darkness.

• Kullu: 216 transformers affected
• Shimla: 214
• Chamba: 104
• Mandi: 94
• Lahaul and Spiti: 22
• Sirmour: 13
• Kinnaur: 6

Electricity department teams are working in challenging conditions, but restoration remains slow in snowbound regions.

Himachal Pradesh Weather Forecast

While higher-altitude areas such as Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti witnessed light snowfall and rain, most lower and mid-hill regions experienced relatively clearer weather. However, icy roads and freezing temperatures continue to pose risks, especially during early morning and night hours.

Himachal Pradesh Weather Forecast: More Snow Ahead

The India Meteorological Department has issued multiple alerts, warning that weather conditions may worsen again soon.

• January 30: Light snowfall and rain expected in higher hill areas
• January 31 to February 3: Fresh spell of heavy snowfall and rain likely across many parts of the state
• February 1: Yellow alert issued for heavy snow and rainfall

In addition, a yellow alert for dense fog and cold wave conditions has been issued for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan and Sirmour districts, which could further disrupt road and rail movement.

Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: Impact on Travel and Tourism

With key highways blocked and fresh snowfall forecast, authorities have advised tourists to avoid unnecessary travel to higher reaches. Popular destinations such as Manali, Kufri and Spiti Valley may remain inaccessible if weather conditions deteriorate further.

Local administrations are urging residents to stay indoors, stock essentials and follow advisories as snowfall continues to impact infrastructure.

What Lies Ahead for Himachal Pradesh?

As snow-clearing operations continue, the next few days will be crucial for restoring connectivity. However, with another active western disturbance approaching, Himachal Pradesh may face extended disruptions before conditions improve.

Officials are closely monitoring the situation, while disaster management teams remain on standby to handle emergencies.