NewsGate Press Network

The western disturbance weather system that struck most parts northern India has affected communications lines bringing down rail road traffic to halt particularly in the hills.

According to various reports that reached railway control rooms early on Saturday morning on 24th of January 2026 regular movement of passenger trains was badly affected in forest areas of Sanwara, Kumarhatti, and Jatog.

The famous Himalayan Queen train was also reported to be running late by several hours in both its directions with services delayed at Kalka station.

Reports stated that first train of the day, the 52457- Kalka–Shimla Express, departed at its scheduled time of 3:30 am but was held up between Dharampur and Kumarhatti for around 50 minutes, reaching Shimla at 9:50 am, about an hour late.

Bad weather also affected 52451- Shivalik Express, which left Kalka at 5:45 am, faced repeated stoppages at Dharampur, Barog, and Jatog, arriving in Shimla nearly four hours late.

Train services including that of 52453 and 52459 Kalka–Shimla Express were delayed by over three hours at different points. The Shimla–Kalka Express was also running late by about three-and-a-half hours.

Media reports were quoting Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Naveen Kumar who stated that railway teams worked continuously to clear the track and ensure passenger safety, while train schedules were rescheduled by the Railway Board in view of prevailing weather conditions.

Apart from dislocations reported by the railways, state administration officials stated that heavy snowfall had clocked as many as 685 roads in the state. The largest number being 292 from tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti.

The figures released by state administration for other locations suggested that 132 roads were blocked in Chamba, 126 in Mandi, 79 in Kullu, 29 in Sirmour, 20 in Kinnaur, nine in Kullu, four in Kangra, two in Una and one in Solan district.