Tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, along with parts of Jammu and Kashmir, have been covered in fresh snow, creating a beautiful winter scene. While this snowfall has delighted tourists visiting for the Christmas holidays, it has also led to vehicle-related problems and road closures.
“White Christmas” in Himachal Pradesh
Shimla, Manali, and other popular towns in Himachal Pradesh have been blanketed in snow, offering a picturesque “white Christmas.” Tourists have flooded social media with images of the snowy landscapes. The MeT department has predicted snow and rain across various parts of the state, with the heaviest snowfall expected on Saturday.
MK Seth, President of Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association, mentioned that hotel occupancy in Shimla is over 70%, a significant rise of 30% due to the snowfall.
Snowfall Leads to Road Closures and Travel Issues
While the snow has brought joy to tourists, it has caused major travel disruptions. At least 223 roads, including three national highways, have been closed due to the snow. Some key routes, such as Attari to Leh and Sanj to Aut in Kullu, are among those affected. Tourists in hundreds of vehicles were stranded near the Atal Tunnel but were rescued late Monday evening.
Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Sharma advised tourists to follow safety instructions, avoid driving in snow, and heed advice from locals.
Impact on Shimla and Surrounding Areas
Shimla experienced the most road closures, with 145 roads shut down. Other areas like Kullu and Mandi reported 25 and 20 closures, respectively. Additionally, 356 transformers malfunctioned, leaving some areas without electricity. To address the situation, the Public Works Department has deployed 268 machines, including two snow blowers, to clear the roads.
Sadly, four people died in accidents related to vehicles skidding, while several others were injured in the past 24 hours.
Upper Shimla Cut Off from Capital
Reports confirmed that upper Shimla was cut off from the rest of the state due to slippery roads, with only 4×4 vehicles permitted to travel.
Enjoying Snowfall in Chail, Himachal near Shimla 🌨️😍 pic.twitter.com/Ta9y9jZHPR
— Ankit Khanna🔆 (@ankit_khanna) December 24, 2024
Kashmir’s Freezing Temperatures and Snowfall
In Kashmir, higher altitudes received fresh snowfall on Tuesday, and temperatures dropped several degrees below freezing. The severe cold resulted in frozen water supply lines and a layer of ice covering water bodies.
Srinagar’s temperature fell to -6.6°C on Monday night, while Pahalgam recorded -7.8°C. Other areas like Gulmarg and Qazigund also saw sub-zero temperatures, with Konibal in Pampore reaching the lowest at -8°C.
