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After 2 feet of snow in Kufri, authorities urge tourists to skip Shimla city roads, use bypass instead

Meanwhile, hoteliers in Shimla and adjoining tourist hotspots have raised concerns over inadequate civic preparedness, particularly power supply and internal road connectivity.

3 min readShimlaJan 24, 2026 11:57 AM IST

Officials said Kufri received over 2 feet of snowfall, around 66 cm, making it a major attraction for tourists (Express photo)

Tourist inflow to Shimla and adjoining high-altitude destinations witnessed an unexpected surge a day after light to moderate snowfall was recorded across the state capital and higher reaches on Saturday. It is currently partially cloudy in Shimla.

The fresh spell of snow, particularly in Kufri and nearby areas, triggered a rush of visitors, especially from Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, turning the weekend into a busy one for the tourism industry.

Officials said Kufri received over 2 feet of snowfall, around 66 cm, making it a major attraction for tourists. Shimla received 27 cm of snowfall, Manali 45.8 cm. The highest snowfall was 105 cm at Kothi in Kinnaur district.

However, authorities cautioned motorists travelling from the Chandigarh side towards Kufri to avoid entering Shimla city due to traffic congestion and narrow internal roads. Instead, they were advised to use the Shimla bypass route via New-ISBT Tutikandi to reach Kufri directly.

The highest snowfall was 105 cm at Kothi in Kinnaur district.
(Express photo)

Anand Dhaiya, Project Director, NHAI Kalka–Shimla section, said National Highway-5 remained operational and smooth despite the snowfall. “So far, no disturbance has been reported on NH-5. However, the Dhalli–Bhattakuffar old Shimla road was temporarily blocked by the state traffic police following heavy snowfall yesterday. Today, weather conditions over Shimla city are clear,” he said.

Also Read | Kashmir, Himachal turn into winter wonderland as fresh snow blankets region | Watch

Meanwhile, hoteliers expressed optimism over a sharp rise in occupancy levels. Stakeholders in the tourism sector said hotel occupancy in Shimla is expected to touch 70 to 80 per cent owing to the weekend rush following the snowfall.

However, while welcoming the rise in tourist footfall, hoteliers raised concerns over inadequate civic preparedness, particularly power supply and internal road connectivity.

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Mohinder Seth, president of the Shimla Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association, said overall hotel, guest house, and rest house occupancy in Shimla is expected to reach nearly 80 per cent.

“Footfall has increased significantly, but amenities remain a serious concern. There was prolonged electricity disruption since yesterday morning. I had to spend nearly Rs 10,000 on diesel to operate generators to ensure an uninterrupted power supply for tourists staying in my hotel,” Seth said.

He added that such situations demand better planning by the administration, especially during peak winter tourism periods when snowfall is anticipated. Hoteliers stressed that uninterrupted electricity, timely snow clearance, and road connectivity are crucial to ensuring a positive experience for tourists and sustaining Shimla’s reputation as a premier winter destination

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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