Manali Snow Chaos: Locals Serve Hot Tea to Stranded Tourists Amid 30-Hour Blizzard
The serene beauty of fresh snow in the Himalayan hills turned into a chaotic ordeal for thousands of tourists as Manali experienced nearly 30 hours of continuous snowfall. Roads were blanketed with up to two feet of snow, leading to massive traffic jams and stranding vehicles for kilometers on National Highway 3 between Kullu and Manali. What was meant to be a dream winter getaway quickly spiraled into a freezing nightmare for visitors, many of whom were forced to spend the night in their cars.
Tourists Stranded in Freezing Conditions
According to reports from The New Indian Express, over 600 people were trapped on the 15-kilometer stretch between Patlikuhl and Manali alone. Traffic congestion extended to critical spots like Rangri and 17 Mile, where even four-wheel-drive vehicles struggled to navigate the icy terrain. Tourists, including families with children, faced severe hardships with some waiting up to 24 hours in their vehicles without access to basic facilities like toilets.
Tragically, the situation turned fatal for a heart patient who died in a stranded ambulance near Rangri after a four-hour delay. The exit routes towards Patlikuhl became increasingly dangerous due to skidding vehicles and pile-ups, exacerbating the crisis.
Local Women Step Up with Heartwarming Gesture
Amid the chaos and freezing temperatures, local Himachal women emerged as unsung heroes. A viral video from Gojra near Manali captured these women weaving through rows of stalled cars with flasks of steaming hot tea, offering warmth and comfort to shivering tourists. Filmed by a bundled-up visitor, the clip showcased their calm smiles and steady pours, providing much-needed relief during the night-long immobilization.
The video quickly gained traction on social media, with users praising it as "pure Himachal spirit" and "humanity beyond tourist crowds." This act of kindness not only highlighted the region's renowned hospitality but also served as a poignant reminder of community solidarity in times of distress.
Administrative Response and Road Clearance Efforts
While locals took initiative, administrative teams worked to distribute food and water to those stranded. Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that JCBs and poclain machines were continuously engaged in clearing the snow-blocked roads. He noted that higher reaches had received between 2.5 to 3 feet of snow, complicating clearance operations.
By Sunday, main highways saw some improvement, though a report from The New Indian Express indicated that 683 roads across the state remained blocked. In other areas like Raghupur Garh–Sojha, locals rescued a dozen tourists, further demonstrating the community's resilience.
The Bigger Picture: Tourism and Winter Challenges
The incident underscores the challenges faced by popular hill stations like Manali when extreme weather coincides with a massive influx of tourists from plains cities such as Delhi. While the snowfall created picturesque views, the infrastructure struggled to handle the resulting chaos, leading to widespread disruptions.
Despite the upheaval, the simple gesture of serving hot tea by local women stole the spotlight, proving that kindness can outshine even the most daunting circumstances. As Himachal Pradesh grapples with winter tourism pressures, this event serves as both a cautionary tale and a heartening example of human compassion in the face of adversity.
