Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: A Winter Wonderland Turns Wild

 Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh: A Winter Wonderland Turns Wild

March 1, 2025 – Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

As I sit here at 8:31 PM IST, sipping chai and watching the world outside transform into a white canvas, Himachal Pradesh is in the thick of a snowy saga that’s equal parts breathtaking and chaotic. The past few days have unleashed a relentless spell of heavy snowfall and rain across the state, turning the Himalayan hills into a postcard-perfect scene—until you zoom in on the havoc it’s wreaking. Here’s a mash-up of the latest news and a fan-of-the-mountains take on this wintry rollercoaster!

The News: Snow, Landslides, and a State on Pause

The headlines today are screaming—literally. Hindustan Times reported just hours ago that 583 roads, including five national highways, are blocked across Himachal due to snowfall and rain, per the State Disaster Management Authority. That’s not all—2,263 power transformers are down, plunging towns into darkness, and 279 water supply schemes are crippled. Kullu’s lower reaches saw flash floods sweep vehicles away, while Lahaul and Spiti are buried under snow so thick you’d think it’s auditioning for an Arctic role.

Yesterday, Outlook Business dropped the stat that Kothi saw a jaw-dropping 120 cm of snow by Friday morning, with Khadrala (115 cm) and Keylong (75 cm) not far behind. The IMD’s orange alert, in place since February 26, warned of this chaos, and it’s not letting up—forecasts say more snow and rain are due through March 4. The Times of India called it “extreme weather haunting Himachal,” with avalanches and landslides adding to the mess. A landslide even blocked the Chandigarh-Manali highway, and a bus accident in Mandi has officials scrambling.

Amid the turmoil, there’s a silver lining—tourism’s buzzing. Fresh snow in Manali, Shimla, and Narkanda has hoteliers grinning, and farmers are breathing easier as the winter rainfall deficit drops to 30%. But the flip side? Power cuts in Kullu and Bhuntar, roads like Darcha-Shinkula and Atal Tunnel shut tight, and an avalanche threat looming over Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti.

A Fan’s Take: Beauty Meets Bedlam

If you’ve ever trekked Himachal’s trails or sipped tea overlooking its peaks, you get it—the snow here isn’t just weather; it’s an emotion. Posts on X from late February—like 

@ShivrattanDhil1

’s “Manali town! Almost March, yet the snowfall is unbelievably heavy—truly breathtaking!”—capture that awe. I’d bet my last rupee that right now, some tourist is snapping a selfie at Rohtang Pass (well, if they could get there), blissfully unaware of the chaos below.

But let’s not romanticize too hard. Lahaul Valley’s seeing snow like it’s been saving up for decades, and locals are hunkered down—some without heat or light. ANI’s visuals of Shimla Police rescuing stranded tourists in Narkanda yesterday hit home: this is a double-edged sword. One minute you’re marveling at snow-laden pines; the next, you’re praying the road ahead isn’t a slippery trap. 

@ANI

’s clip of Lahaul-Spiti today—vehicles swallowed by snow—feels like a scene from a disaster flick, yet there’s an eerie beauty to it.

Beyond the Flakes: What’s Happening?

This isn’t just a freak storm—it’s a western disturbance gone wild, says IMD scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma (via Hindustan Times). Activated February 25, it’s dumping snow and rain with abandon, and another heavy spell’s due tomorrow, March 3. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s urging folks to steer clear of rivers and streams, a grim nod to Kullu’s flash floods. Meanwhile, the tourism industry’s doing a happy dance—Manali’s 200+ closed roads (Tribune India) won’t stop the selfie sticks from coming out once the skies clear.

Historically, Himachal’s no stranger to snow, but this intensity? It’s rare. Keylong’s minus 4.5°C (Business Today) is a brutal reminder of how cold it’s getting up there. For context, the state’s seen 70.4 mm of rain this winter against a normal 181.7 mm—a 61% deficit until this week’s deluge. Now, it’s catch-up time, but at what cost?

Final Thoughts: A Snowy Love-Hate Story

As a mountain lover, I’m torn. The kid in me wants to dive into this snow—build a snowman, sip hot chocolate, watch the flakes fall. But the realist sees the stranded commuters, the powerless homes, the avalanche warnings. Himachal’s snowfall is a paradox: it’s the stuff of dreams until it’s a logistical nightmare. Tonight, as Shimla’s streets glisten under a fresh layer (or so I imagine from the news), I’m rooting for the resilience of its people—and maybe a sunny day to dig out.

Keep an eye on weather.com or ANI for updates, and if you’re here, stay safe. This winter tale’s still unfolding—beauty, chaos, and all. #HimachalSnow #Winter2025