Shimla/Dehradun/Srinagar, Jan. 25 -- A sudden and heavy snowfall across the Himalayan region over the last 48 hours has triggered widespread disruptions, with hundreds of vehicles and people stranded, roads blocked and power disruptions in several high-altitude areas of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir. The heavy snowfall has ended a prolonged dry spell in the region but triggered a crisis in the Kullu-Manali region. As of Saturday, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported 683 roads, including two National Highways (NH-03 and NH-505), blocked. In Kullu alone, 79 roads are shut and 587 transformers are down. Himachal Pradesh public works department (PWD) minister Vikramaditya Singh, while talking to HT said, "I am in constant touch with departmental officials. JCBs and poclain machines are continuously engaged in clearing roads in hilly areas." The number of distribution transformers (DTRs) disrupted rose to 5,775, while 126 water supply schemes were reported to be affected. In Shimla most parts of the district were without power for over 30 hours. In many rural areas, there's little hope of power restoration even for the next five to six days. Heavy snowfall has disrupted bus services on over 1,200 routes across the state, making movement difficult. The worst-hit regions include Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Chamba, Kullu and Sirmaur, where heavy snowfall and rain triggered road blockages and power outages. In Lahaul-Spiti alone, 290 roads are blocked, and both key National Highways connecting the region remain closed due to snow accumulation. The tourists destinations in the state witnessed heavy influx in wake of snowfall coupled with a long weekend. Stakeholders in the tourism sector said hotel occupancy in Shimla is expected to touch 70 to 80% owing to the weekend rush following the snowfall but for that uninterrupted electricity, timely snow clearance, and road connectivity are crucial. The rush to see the snow created a 15-km traffic jam near Manali, forcing many to abandon their vehicles. Videos circulating on social media showed cars, including high-end SUVs, stuck or sliding on icy roads, highlighting the risks of driving in snow without proper experience or equipment. "We remained stuck in the traffic jam for more than three hours and then decided to walk our way to Manali. We waited for the snowfall in Manali for quite a long time and couldn't miss the opportunity today," said Akshay, a tourist from Delhi, who walked around 7 km to reach Manali. Trisha, a tourist from Delhi, said: "We had to spend the night in our vehicle and we survived on maggi as we were carrying our own portable cylinder. But not everyone is equipped and thus are facing issues." Stranded tourists also accused taxi operators of charging between Rs.10,000 and Rs.15,000 for a mere 20 km stretch between Manali and Patlikuhal. Lakshit, a tourist from Delhi, said, "After staying in Manali for three days he was to return, but owing to snow public transport is not available. Taxi operators are charging anything between Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 for a 20-kilometer journey." The snow clearance began Saturday after a slight improvement in the weather. Authorities said traffic toward Manali will resume only after the snow is fully cleared. The Manali-Lahaul road via the Atal Tunnel remains completely closed. Many tourists who reached Manali are also stranded there due to continued snowfall. On the rescue front, till Saturday, 12 tourists stranded in snow near Raghupur Fort were rescued by locals and police. SP Kullu Madan Lal Kaushal noted that while weather improved Saturday, traffic is moving slowly. Kullu deputy commissioner Torul S Raveesh said, "After receiving reports of people stranded on roads, the revenue department staff were sent with food and juice. Those facing health issues were taken for medical check-ups. Snow clearance has been intensified and the Manali road... Electricity supply will be restored in many places by evening." In wake of another spell of widespread rainfall and snow between January 26 and 28, the state government has issued a fresh advisory. All district administrations have been directed to activate district emergency operation centres on a 24x7 basis for continuous monitoring and coordination Search is on to find the two youths, who went to make a video from the Bharmari Mata temple towards the Kukadukandha hill in the Bharmour assembly constituency of Chamba district, the police said on Friday. The missing youth, Vikshit, 19, of Ghared village, and Piyush, 14, of Malkota village had gone from the Bharmari temple towards the Kukadukandha hill area and have been missing since then, they added. Upon receiving the information, the police immediately launched search operation. The administration managed to contact one of the youths, but after that the contact was completely lost. The search operation has been intensified with officials taking help of drones. However, the fog is hampering the search operation. Chamba deputy commissioner Mukesh Repswal said that they received information about the disappearance of two youths on Thursday. Upon receiving the information, the police administration and a mountaineering team were sent to the spot and the search was started. He said that contact was made with the youths on their mobile phones on Friday, but there has been no further communication with them since then. Now, an intensive search operation is being conducted using drones, but so far they have not been traced. Moderate to heavy snowfall across Uttarakhand since Friday disrupted life, leaving pilgrims and residents stranded on snowbound roads, particularly in Uttarkashi district, officials familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), state police, Border Roads Organisation, and Public Works Department launched multiple rescue operations. Nearly 200 people in 50 vehicles were rescued from Jarmola Dhar on the Yamunotri highway. Uttarkashi disaster management officer Shardul Gusain said, "Using machines in two shifts, the teams shifted them to Maggi Point, where food and shelter were arranged. Three more people stranded between Bwanchaura and Diwari Khol were moved to a nearby forest department post for the night." In Nainital and Tehri Garhwal, over 30 people were rescued overnight. Meanwhile, Mussoorie has recorded a massive surge due to the Republic Day weekend. "Traffic is currently under control, and one-way traffic plans will be enforced if the tourist rush increases later in the day," sub-divisional magistrate Rahul Anand said. Two national, 18 state highways, and 19 village roads across the state remained closed on Saturday due to snow, according to real-time data from the Public Works Department. After heavy snowfall, the bright sunshine greeted Kashmir on Saturday, though Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Mughal road, Sinthan road remained closed for traffic for a second consecutive day, however flights were restored from the Srinagar airport. On Friday, most parts of Kashmir received a major snowfall. Srinagar also witnessed light spell of snow. The officials said that in the past 24 hours, moderate to heavy snowfall was recorded at most places of the Valley, especially in the higher reaches, while the plains received light to moderatesnow. There has been an improvement in the weather since Saturday morning, the officials said, adding, however, that the meteorological department has forecast light rain and snow at isolated places on Saturday and Sunday. The flights that remained suspended at the Srinagar airport got resumed as the first flight landed at the airport at 11 am. "A smooth landing at 11: 00 hrs. Srinagar Airport welcomes its first flight of the day. All is normal now-the big bird has returned to the valley," Srinagar airport wrote on X. Due fresh snowfall on Friday evening, Srinagar Jammu national highway remained closed as hundreds of vehicles remained stranded as the efforts are on to restore the national highway. The traffic department has asked people not to leave their homes unless the national highway is open. Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological department has predicted another western disturbance across Kashmir from Monday afternoon. "On January 26-27 light to moderate rain/snow at most places with possibility of moderate to heavy rain/snow with thunder/gusty winds at few places during 26 night to 27 Jan," said MeT. MeT has issued advisory about possibility of moderate to heavy rain/snow/thunder/gusty winds during January 26 late night to 27 evening. Travellers/transporters are advised to confirm road/highway status from concerned traffic units and follow admin advisory. Farmers are advised to suspend farm operations till January 28. MeT has further warned of avalanches over snow bound higher reaches. More than 1,600 tourists were rescued from Gulmarg and Tangmarg areas of the Valley due to heavy accumulation of the snow on the road. The ski resort of Gulmarg recorded over 50 cm of snow, with upper reaches seeing up to four feet of snow. "Police in Baramulla successfully facilitated the tourist movement amid heavy snowfall and slippery road conditions in Tangmarg... 1000 guests were safely moved from Tangmarg to Gulmarg while 600 guests were assisted in the opposite direction. All vehicles employed in the movement were 4x4 SUVs equipped with anti-skid chains," a police spokesman said. The snow also caused an unprecedented power drop -- from 1650 MW to just 93 MW -- though 80% of the network was restored by Saturday evening. "Following established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), wee morning restoration had already started and is being monitored at all levels... By 6.00 PM, almost 80% of the network was charged back," a senior officer of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) said. Divisional commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg said, "Of the 20,000 kilometres of road, 80% have been cleared from the snow and snow clearing operation is still going on." Chief executive officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority, Tariq Ahmad, said that timely snowfall has been a blessing. "We have requested all the tourists to obey advisories. The good snowfall will attract a good number of foreign and local skiers and the administration is ready to receive." However, with another wet spell predicted starting January 26, authorities remain on high alert across all three states....