Manali Paralyzed by Record Snowfall: Tourists Stranded Overnight in 8-Kilometer Traffic Jams
The picturesque hill station of Manali has been plunged into chaos following unprecedented snowfall, resulting in massive traffic jams stretching up to eight kilometers and leaving thousands of tourists and locals stranded overnight in sub-zero temperatures. As Himachal Pradesh transforms into a winter wonderland with its first major snowfall of the season, the surge in tourist arrivals combined with heavy snow has created a perfect storm of disruption on the region's roads.
Viral Videos Capture Snow-Buried Vehicles and Desperate Commuters
Social media platforms have been flooded with alarming footage showing kilometers-long traffic congestion, with vehicles completely covered by thick layers of snow on the winding hill roads of Manali. The situation escalated on Friday evening as a tourist influx ahead of the long weekend met with deteriorating weather conditions, bringing movement to a grinding halt.
One particularly distressing video shared by the X handle @GoHimachal shows the extent of the crisis, accompanied by a stark warning: "Think twice before coming to Manali during heavy snowfall. People stuck in traffic jams for 25+ hours in sub-zero temperatures." This sentiment has been echoed by numerous commuters who reported being trapped inside their vehicles throughout the night, facing extreme cold without adequate provisions.
Unprecedented Snowfall Creates Historic Disruption
Local reports indicate that the snowfall witnessed in Manali is of a magnitude not seen in decades. X user Nikhil Saini highlighted this extraordinary event, stating: "Just received this from my cousin's hotel in Manali. Look at the amount of snow. Such snowfall in a single day was last seen after decades. Even areas that had not seen snow for the last 4 to 5 years witnessed snowfall yesterday."
The roads leading into Manali have been among the worst affected, with the stretch between Kothi and Manali experiencing nearly eight kilometers of stationary traffic at its peak. Restoration efforts have been severely hampered by continuous snowfall, leaving authorities struggling to clear the congestion and assist stranded travelers.
Official Warnings and Weather Forecast
In response to the escalating situation, the Himachal Pradesh government has issued a statewide advisory as an active western disturbance continues to impact the region. The Meteorological Office has warned that this weather system "would remain active till Sunday," bringing additional spells of rain and snowfall between January 26 and 28.
Furthermore, a yellow warning has been issued for dense fog and cold wave conditions in several districts including:
- Kangra
- Mandi
- Solan
- Una
- Bilaspur
- Hamirpur
- Sirmour
Authorities have urgently advised travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys and strictly follow official advisories amid these extreme weather conditions. The combination of heavy snowfall, traffic congestion, and freezing temperatures has created a potentially dangerous situation for those caught in the chaos.
This incident highlights the challenges faced by popular tourist destinations during extreme weather events, raising questions about infrastructure preparedness and emergency response mechanisms in hill stations experiencing unprecedented winter conditions.
