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Around 7 to 8 kilometres of the national highway remain blocked, forcing many tourists to abandon their vehicles and walk long distances through deep snow.
Many vehicles have been stranded for over 24 hours, with passengers spending the night inside their cars. (X/ANI)
Heavy snowfall across parts of Himachal Pradesh has disrupted road traffic and stranded hundreds of tourists, as popular hill destinations, including Shimla, Manali, Kullu, witnessed a sudden surge in visitors in the long weekend.
Life in Manali came to a grinding halt after heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours disrupted normal movement and blocked major roads, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded. Fresh snowfall of nearly one to two feet, along with dangerous black ice formation, brought traffic to a complete standstill on key stretches near Manali.
Around 7 to 8 kilometres of the national highway remain blocked, forcing many tourists to abandon their vehicles and walk long distances through deep snow. Several tourists trying to reach Manali were forced to trek 10 to 20 kilometres while carrying luggage, making the journey difficult. Tourists attempting to leave the hill station are also stuck due to massive traffic jams between Manali and Patli-Khol.
People from cities such as Delhi, Gurugram, and Chandigarh drove up to the hills in search of peace, but they were met with a nightmare of blocked highways and fully booked hotels instead. Many vehicles have been stranded for over 24 hours, with passengers spending the night inside their cars amid freezing temperatures and lack of basic facilities.
Bunty, a taxi driver from Chandigarh, said the situation was distressing. “We have been stuck here since yesterday. The passengers are helpless, without food or drinking water. No JCB or assistance has arrived yet. The roads should have been cleared when the snowfall started,” he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
Another tourist, Harpal Singh from Gujarat, said that his family spent the night inside their car. “There is no food or public toilet facility nearby. We have moved barely 200 metres since yesterday. The administration should take action,” he told the news agency.
Locals also raised concerns over the prolonged traffic jam. Shivbiyas, a resident, said that many tourists spent the night in their vehicles despite weather warnings. “The traffic has been jammed for more than 24 hours. People are crying, and many are feeling unwell due to the cold,” he said.
Officials have repeatedly urged tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during snowfall, warning that sudden weather changes can make roads extremely slippery. Travellers have been advised to check local advisories, use snow chains where required, and avoid night driving in snowbound areas.
(With inputs from agencies)
Manali, India, India
January 25, 2026, 23:12 IST
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