Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, January 28
Snowfall has once again swept across the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, bringing both disruption and a seasonal influx of tourists to the northern Indian hill state.
In Shimla district, light snowfall was reported at the Ridge, the city’s central landmark, while heavier snow blanketed popular hill stations and remote areas including Kufri, Narkanda, Chopal and Khada Pathar yesterday. The fresh snowfall has led to widespread disruption of transport and essential services.
Officials said 99 roads in Shimla district have been closed, including six major routes and 93 link roads. Power and water supplies have also been hit, with 384 electricity transformers and 59 water supply schemes reported to be non-functional.
The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has warned of heavy snowfall in five districts — Kullu, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Shimla — until Wednesday morning.
Even as authorities urged caution, tourists continued to arrive in large numbers to enjoy the snow-covered landscapes, underlining the region’s enduring winter appeal despite the challenges posed by extreme weather.
