Heavy snowfall measuring nearly one-and-a-half feet continued to disrupt Shimla for the second consecutive day on Saturday, severely affecting road connectivity and bringing traffic to a near standstill. Most roads remained closed, leaving the hill town virtually cut off from adjoining areas and the rest of the country.
According to a traffic advisory issued by Shimla Police on Saturday morning, several major roads linking Shimla with other parts of the state were closed due to heavy snow accumulation and slippery conditions. These included the Shimla–Karsog, Shimla–Theog, Theog–Kotkhai, Theog–Rampur, Theog–Rohru and Theog–Chopal roads. The Shimla–Solan National Highway was also reported to be slippery, and motorists were advised to avoid travel.
All major internal roads within Shimla city also remained closed. The affected stretches included the Tutikandi–Phagli bypass, Kennedy–Annandale road, Shimla–Totu road, Khalini–BCS–Vikas Nagar road, Victory Tunnel–Lakkar Bazaar–Sanjauli stretch, Chotta Shimla–Sanjauli–Dhalli road, Chotta Shimla–Kasumpti road and the Mehli–Shanan–Bhattakufar–Dhalli road. Roads beyond Dhalli towards the upper reaches of the district could not be reopened, further isolating several localities.
With vehicular movement almost completely halted, attendance in offices and institutions remained low as many commuters were unable to reach their workplaces. Essential services were also affected. As many as 411 distribution transformers went out of service in Shimla town on Friday, of which power supply to 119 transformers was restored by midnight, while restoration work continued in the remaining areas. Sub-zero night temperatures intensified the cold wave, and water supply, power and communication services remained partially disrupted in several localities.
The district administration advised tourists to avoid travel and wait for the reopening of major roads, warning that conditions were unsafe. Meanwhile, concerned agencies continued efforts to clear snow and remove black ice from priority routes, particularly those leading to hospitals and government offices, to ensure emergency services remained accessible.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
