In Himachal Pradesh, districts such as Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, Chamba, and Shimla have been badly affected. Authorities have shut all educational institutions, including colleges, in Chamba and Manali, though CBSE Board examinations will proceed as scheduled.
Officials have also issued an avalanche warning for tribal and high-altitude regions above 2,300 metres, urging residents to avoid unnecessary travel.
In Uttarakhand, a glacier collapse on the National Highway leading to Badrinath Dham has blocked key routes in Chamoli district, stranding commuters. Authorities are working to clear the debris, but movement remains severely restricted.
Meanwhile, a landslide at Mana GST Road struck a civil workers’ camp early Friday. Rescue teams from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the Indian Army were rushed to the site, evacuating ten workers so far. Operations are ongoing despite the extreme weather.
#ITBPRescue | Swift Action in Adverse Conditions
Amid heavy snowfall, a landslide hit a civil workers’ camp at Mana GST Road early today. ITBP & Army rescue teams rushed in, evacuating 10 workers so far. Treatment is underway. Rescue ops continue despite extreme weather. pic.twitter.com/WeyiSdWjGW— ITBP (@ITBP_official) February 28, 2025
The situation is equally grim in
Jammu & Kashmir, where fresh snowfall has disrupted travel. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is engaged in clearing snow from the Srinagar airport runway to restore operations. The administration has also restricted vehicle movement beyond Nehru Kund, following fresh snowfall at Solang Nallah, Gulaba, Atal Tunnel, and Rohtang.
#WATCH | J&K | Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engaged in the snow clearance at the Srinagar airport runway after the area received fresh snowfall today: BRO officials
(Video – BRO) pic.twitter.com/Z4DQg5K5oa— ANI (@ANI) February 28, 2025
Key highways remain impassable. In Himachal Pradesh, National Highway 5 (Hindustan-Tibet Road) is blocked at Narkanda due to heavy snow, while roads such as Deha-Chopal and Dodra-Kwar remain shut. The Theog-Hatkoti Highway at Kharapathar village (8,770 ft altitude) is also closed.
In Kullu, floodwaters have inundated Akhara Bazaar and Gandhi Nagar, damaging parked vehicles. A landslide at Banala has disrupted traffic on the Manali-Kiratpur National Highway, and restoration work has been delayed due to falling rocks.
By 8:30 am, Kothi had recorded the highest snowfall at 120 cm, followed by Khadrala (115 cm), Keylong (75 cm), Kalpa (46 cm), Kukumseri (38.8 cm), Sangla (23.5 cm), and Nichar and Moorang (15 cm each). Heavy rainfall has also battered lower and mid-hill areas, with Seobagh and Bhuntar both recording 113.2 mm, Banjar 112.4 mm, Jogindernagar 112 mm, and Shimla 54.5 mm.
With the weather showing no signs of improvement, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy snowfall in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and higher reaches of Chamba, Kullu, Shimla, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts.
Light to moderate rainfall, with isolated spells of heavy rain, is expected in these regions over the next few days. Authorities have urged residents to remain indoors, avoid unnecessary travel, and stay updated with weather advisories as rescue and relief efforts continue.
ALSO READ: In pics | Uttarakhand Avalanche: Army engaged in rescue operations of trapped labourers amid heavy snowfall
