Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh’s upper reaches has blocked 61 roads, disrupted traffic on key mountain routes and prompted the rescue of more than two dozen people, including 16 pilgrims, from the Kinnaur Kailash route.
Kinnaur’s higher areas, including Chitkul and Nako, received light snowfall on Sunday after precipitation began on Saturday night. Kaza and Chicham in the Spiti Valley also recorded light snowfall, while rain continued in lower Kinnaur for nearly 24 hours. Temperatures fell across the district as the weather deteriorated in the higher reaches.
National Highway 305 was blocked near Tapri in Kinnaur after mud flow disrupted the route and left a car stuck. The incident triggered a major traffic jam. An official said restoration work had started, but the road remained disrupted when the report was filed.
Traffic on the Reckong Peo-Kaza road was also affected near Maling Nala, close to Nako, where continuous rockfall made the stretch unsafe for vehicles. Traffic was halted as falling rocks continued to pose a risk to movement along the mountain road.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, 61 roads remained closed to vehicular traffic across Himachal Pradesh on Sunday. Lahaul-Spiti accounted for 25 blocked roads, followed by Mandi with 19. Kangra and Kullu each reported six blocked roads, while Sirmaur had two and Shimla had one.
In the Spiti sub-division, 24 roads were blocked because of snowfall. The closures have affected connectivity in high-altitude areas where road access is essential for residents, visitors and emergency services. The report did not provide an estimated timeline for reopening all the affected routes.
The Kinnaur Kailash route also became unsafe after heavy snowfall and icy winds stranded pilgrims, porters and guides near Ganesh Park in Kinnaur. More than two dozen people were caught in the deteriorating weather, including 16 pilgrims.
Police and Home Guards personnel launched a rescue operation after the sudden change in weather made further movement impossible. The entire group was safely brought down from the route.
Rain was also reported in Rampur Bushahr, upper Shimla and Kullu’s Outer Seraj on Sunday. Authorities were carrying out restoration work on the affected highway, while traffic remained disrupted on routes impacted by mud flow, rockfall and snowfall.
