Shimla, Jan. 24 -- Ending a four-month dry spell, Himachal Pradesh on Friday received widespread rain and snowfall, bringing a surge in tourism and vital relief for the state's parched apple orchards, even as essential services faced significant disruptions. While state capital Shimla donned its first white blanket of the season, higher reaches across Chamba, Kullu-Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, and Kinnaur districts reported heavy snow accumulation. The arrival of the snow triggered an influx of tourists, many of whom had been camping in the capital for days tracking weather forecasts. "We waited nearly a week just to experience this. The town looks stunning," said Sanjay Kumar, a visitor from UP's Saharanpur. Meteorological data showed Tabo in Lahaul-Spiti recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state at -4.2degC, while Neri in Hamirpur district registered the highest maximum temperature at 25.4degC. Snowfall was recorded in several higher reaches with Kothi receiving 15cm, Gondla 12cm, Kukumseri 6.8cm, Jot 6cm, Saloni 5cm, Manali 4.8cm, Keylong 4cm, Kufri 4cm and Shimla 0.6cm. Heavy snow and high-velocity winds-peaking at 87 kmph in Narkanda and 67 kmph in Kufri-triggered power outages in parts of Shimla district. The authorities shut the Deha-Chopal main road, and travel advisories have been issued for the upper reaches. As per a spokesperson of Himachal Pradesh state electricity board, 13,303 transformer were damaged out of which 2,919 have been restored. The IMD has predicted heavy rain or snow at isolated spots later today. "A fresh western disturbance is expected to hit the region on January 26," an official said, warning that weather activity could intensify further. A total of 535 roads, including four National Highways (NH), including NH 05 Shimla -Kufri Narakanda- Pawari, NH305 Sainj Luri-Jalori-Aut, NH 505 Pawari Kalpa and NH 705 Theog- Kotkhai -Hatkoti Kharaphattar -Puhari -Kaza have been closed. National Highway-003 is currently shut between Koksar and Darcha, while connectivity from Koksar to Rohtang Pass, Gramphu to Batal, and Losar to Batal has also been suspended. Of the total roads closed, 511 are village roads and 20 are major district roads. Heavy snowfall led to the closure of several critical road arteries in the remote Lahaul-Spiti district. Officers posted in snow-affected areas and proceeding on leave were also directed to immediately report back to duty, the public works department (PWD) said on Friday. A review meeting on snow clearance was chaired by the HPPWD Engineer-in-Chief. The estimated loss due to snowfall has been pegged at Rs.6.03 crore, the department said. Meanwhile, in Shimla, snowfall brought traffic to a near standstill. Long jams reported at multiple locations. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday issued a fresh alert for widespread snowfall and rainfall across the state. In Manali and its suburbs, the administration has issued a fresh travel advisory. For essential movement, the use of 4x4 vehicles is mandatory. Furthermore, vehicles headed from Kullu toward Manali are being restricted at Patlikuhal, as the stretch ahead is deemed unsafe for driving. According to the IMD, a new western disturbance is set to impact the state on January 26, bringing multiple spells of moderate to heavy snowfall and snowstorms in several districts of the hill state over the subsequent days. Sandeep Kumar Sharma, a senior scientist at IMD, Shimla, said: "A western disturbance has been active over Himachal since Thursday night. Consequently, rainfall has been recorded across the state, while three to four districts have experienced snowfall." Sharma said that the current weather activity will persist until late on Friday, with snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in parts of Kangra and Mandi. While a brief reduction in intensity is expected on January 25, the next disturbance on January 26 will trigger fresh precipitation. "From January 26 to 28, widespread rain and snowfall is expected. Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Kullu are likely to receive heavy snowfall, for which an orange alert has been issued," he added. The IMD has advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in higher reaches, as conditions are expected to worsen. Five tourists were stranded at Raghupur Camp near Jalori Jot in the Banjar sub-division following heavy snowfall and strong winds. The group shared videos on social media appealing for help as snow began entering their camp. A Banjar police team was despatched to the spot, and local operator Sunil Kumar confirmed the group is safe. In the Bharmour area of Chamba, a snowstorm blew off the roofs of more than 10 houses early on Friday. Villagers contacted the departments concerned over phone to seek relief for the affected families. Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday directed the officials to ensure normalcy across various regions of the state, specifically mandating that roads leading to hospitals and other emergency service institutions be cleared on a priority basis....