Shimla, Jan 23 : Fresh snowfall across the western Himalayan region on Friday brought both relief from the long dry spell and disruptions to daily life, affecting road connectivity, air travel, and visibility in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
In Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul-Spiti district experienced moderate to heavy snowfall overnight, forcing closure of key routes, including roads to the Atal Tunnel, Koksar–Rohtang Pass, Darcha–Sarchu, and Gramphu–Batal. Officials cited snow accumulation and black ice as hazards and allowed limited movement only where conditions briefly improved. High altitude towns such as Keylong, Udaipur, and Kaza continued to witness steady snowfall, with poor visibility reported throughout the morning. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for heavy snow and strong winds, urging residents and tourists to avoid travel in affected areas.
Shimla and Manali recorded the first snowfall of the season, drawing tourists to the hill towns after weeks of dry weather. Nearby destinations including Kufri and Narkanda also received snow. “Shimla and its surrounding areas have been experiencing snowfall since morning, marking the season’s first in the city,” a Meteorological Department official said.
In Jammu and Kashmir, snowfall and rain led to the closure of the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) at multiple points, including Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur, due to slippery conditions. Srinagar Airport reported several flight cancellations, with IndiGo temporarily suspending operations. Passengers were advised to check flight status and rebook where necessary.
Weather authorities said a western disturbance remains active over the region, bringing the possibility of more rain and snow until Sunday, accompanied by a sharp drop in temperatures. Officials urged people to exercise caution and avoid non-essential travel until conditions improve.