Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh has led to the closure of 565 roads and affected almost 4,800 power distribution transformers, officials said on January 23, 2026. The tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti is the worst affected, with 292 roads blocked including two national highways, NH-03 (Leh-Manali) and NH-505 (Kaza-Gramphu). Other districts also faced closures: 105 roads in Chamba, 70 in Una, 64 in Mandi, 20 in Sirmour, nine in Kullu, four in Kangra, and one in Solan. Power infrastructure has also taken a hit. Out of 4,797 affected transformers, Solan has 1,856 damaged, Mandi 901, Kullu 682, Chamba 659, Sirmour 624, Lahaul and Spiti 53, Kinnaur 20, and Una two, leaving many areas without electricity. The Meteorological Department forecast continued heavy snowfall in higher regions for January 24 and 25. A yellow warning for dense fog and cold waves was issued for Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Sirmour. Himachal Pradesh received its first snow of the winter on January 23, ending nearly three months of dry weather. Kothi village near Manali recorded the highest snowfall at 15 cm. Other areas like Gondla (12 cm), Kukumseri (6.8 cm), Hansa (5 cm), Jubbal (6 cm), Manali (4.8 cm), Keylong (4 cm), Kufri (4 cm), and Shimla (0.6 cm) also saw snowfall. District administrations have started snow clearing operations. People are advised to avoid travel unless necessary, especially in freshly snow-covered areas.