Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Traffic in Lahaul and Spiti, Isolates Key Areas. 

Shimla:

Fresh snowfall has severely disrupted traffic in Lahaul and Spiti district today, causing significant inconvenience to residents and travelers. The region experienced heavy snow accumulation, leaving several areas isolated and cutting off vital road connections.

Keylong, the district headquarters, received approximately 30 cm of fresh snow, while the Atal Tunnel on the Manali-Leh highway and the Sissu area of Lahaul valley saw around 3 feet of snow, blocking the road completely. This has halted traffic movement between Keylong and Manali, which is a major route for commuters.

In addition to the Keylong-Manali highway, several other roads in Lahaul and Spiti are also inaccessible. The Kaza-Losar road in Spiti Valley, the Keylong-Manali road, Sansari-Killar-Thirot-Tandi road, and the Keylong-Darcha road are all blocked, further isolating the area.

The ongoing snowfall has left the residents of Lahaul Valley cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh. Local authorities have issued advisories urging people to avoid unnecessary travel in the district until conditions improve.

Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar assured the public that as soon as weather conditions ease, snow clearance operations will be launched by the Border Roads Organization and Public Works Department. These efforts will aim to restore road connectivity and ease the difficulties faced by residents and travelers in the area.

For now, the focus remains on safety and ensuring that the region can return to normalcy once the weather stabilizes.