Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh leads to closure of over 500 roads, including 4 national highways
The Hindu
After consecutive days of moderate to heavy snow in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, 504 roads, including four national highways, in the state were closed for vehicular traffic, officials said.
After consecutive days of moderate to heavy snow in several parts of Himachal Pradesh, 504 roads, including four national highways, in the state were closed for vehicular traffic, officials said.
Shimla, the state’s capital, saw a brief spell of snowfall on February 3 bringing cheer to residents and tourists. The city and its adjoining areas witnessed intermittent snowfall with overcast skies.
The weather office predicted heavy snow in isolated places of the state on February 4.
The local MeT station has issued a ‘yellow’ alert for thunderstorm and lightning in isolated places on February 3 and for thunderstorm, lightning and hail storm with heavy snow at isolated places on February 4.
Also read: Why Himachal Pradesh had its most rainless January since 1901 | Explained
The state saw moderate to heavy snow in several parts on January 31 and February 1.
According to the state emergency operation centre, a maximum of 161 roads are blocked in Shimla, 153 in Lahaul and Spiti, 76 in Kullu and 62 in Chamba district and 674 transformers and 44 water supply schemes have been disrupted.
According to the “2023: World Air Quality Report”, India is the third most polluted nation globally and Delhi the most polluted capital city. Though Bengaluru (Rank 673) stands nowhere close to the topmost polluted cities, increasing temperature, irregular rains, growing population and infrastructure are leading to a slow change in the water and air quality of the garden city.