Manali, 24 December 2024: Manali’s recent heavy snowfall has left tourists stranded and created widespread traffic disruptions, particularly between Solang Nallah and Atal Tunnel in Rohtang.
The ongoing storm resulted in over 1,000 vehicles being stuck on the Manali-Leh highway, leading to a massive traffic jam. Authorities quickly launched a rescue operation to address the crisis.
According to district officials, most of the vehicles trapped in the snow were tourist cars. Many of these vehicles were ill-equipped for the harsh snowy road conditions. With traffic stretching from Solang Nallah to Atal Tunnel, the jam disrupted travel for hours, stranding numerous tourists.
“Efforts were underway to safely shift tourists to secure locations, and around 700 tourists were moved from the scene,” stated an official overseeing the operation.
The rescue teams, including district administration and police, worked relentlessly throughout the night to evacuate vehicles. On Monday night, most of the stranded vehicles were safely transported back to Manali from the Lahaul side.
To prevent further complications, authorities have urged travelers to use 4×4 vehicles fitted with snow chains, as these vehicles offer better traction in such extreme conditions.
In addition to the jam, heavy snow has led to the closure of 177 roads, including three national highways. Shimla saw the highest number of road closures with 89 roads shut, followed by 44 in Kinnaur, 25 in Mandi, and several more across other districts.
“NH-3 and NH-305 are closed in Kullu, and NH-505 remains inaccessible in Lahaul and Spiti,” a traffic official added.
The adverse weather also caused power outages, with 683 Distribution Transformers (DTR) disrupted statewide.
Looking ahead, light snow and rain are expected to continue in some areas, with isolated showers likely in Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur, and parts of Shimla, Mandi, Solan, Sirmour, and Kullu districts.
