Due to heavy and widespread snowfall in Himachal Pradesh, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) has issued an avalanche warning for several areas.

According to the SDMA, avalanches may occur in Kullu, Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts till 5 pm on January 12th, 2020.

It may be noted, two avalanches occurred in Pooh sub-division of Kinnaur district on January 8th-9th, 2020 but no casualty was reported.

A total of 588 roads have been closed, 2436 electricity supply lines disrupted and 33 water supply schemes hampered in Himachal Pradesh due to heavy snowfall. In eight districts of the state, one-feet to four-feet snow has accumulated at different locations.

The SDMA advised people to stay away from avalanche-prone areas in the mentioned districts.

According to the SDMA, there is a possibility of avalanches taking place in Banjar area, Manali-Beas Kund axis of Kullu district, Manali-Leh axis of Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts, Spiti-Kinnaur-Shimla areas of Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and Shimla district, Udaipur-Killar-Chamba area of Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba districts, Times Now reported.

Additional inputs and photo: @prakashadhikari