Overnight snowfall prompts highway cleanup, weather alert sounded in Himachal

The Border Roads Organization (BRO) launched snow-clearing operations on the National Highway in Lahaul-Spiti on Thursday following an overnight snowfall in the region’s higher reaches. These unexpected weather conditions caused road blockages, necessitating immediate action from the BRO.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued a yellow warning on Wednesday for potential thunderstorms and lightning in isolated locations across Himachal Pradesh. The forecast suggested light-intensity rain and thunderstorms were expected to persist from Wednesday through Saturday.

“Isolated places in the state are likely to experience light rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next three days,” stated the IMD. The weather department’s warning led to enhanced readiness in the region.

Early Thursday morning saw rainfall in parts of Punjab and Haryana, resulting in a slight decrease in temperature, reported the Met office. The two states had been experiencing above-average temperatures in the preceding days. High-speed winds disrupted power supply in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab for several hours, according to officials. Places including Ludhiana, Patiala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Mohali, Ambala, Hisar, Rohtak, Karnal, and Panchkula experienced heavy rainfall, further emphasizing the dramatic weather conditions.