The recent weather patterns have brought contrasting yet significant changes across two distinct regions of India. While the national capital, Delhi, experienced a welcomed spell of light rainfall late into Tuesday night, the mountains were adorned with fresh blankets of snowfall. These occurrences not only mark a shift in the weather but also impact various facets of life in these regions, from commuting and infrastructure to agriculture and tourism.
The orange warning for snowfall across Himachal Pradesh issued by the local weather office on Saturday evening has been changed to a yellow warning for thunderstorms, lightning and hailstorms with heavy snow at isolated places on Sunday. Officials said 157 roads have been closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 133 in Shimla, 71 in Kullu, 56 in Chamba, and 51 in Mandi district. According to the state emergency operation centre, 333 transformers and 57 water supply schemes have been disrupted.
Nearly 504 roads, including 4 National Highways, are closed due to snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. The State Disaster Management Authority released a statement confirming the closures. The affected roads are located in Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Kangra. In addition to the road closures, 674 electricity supply schemes and 44 water supply schemes are disrupted.