Manali Snowfall Crisis: Tourists Forced to Trek 20km Amid Freezing Conditions
Heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours in the popular Himachal Pradesh hill station of Manali has brought daily life to a standstill, with hundreds of tourists stranded in freezing temperatures and facing severe disruptions. According to multiple reports, including from ANI on January 25, the situation has escalated into a crisis, with visitors abandoning vehicles and trekking long distances through deep snow for shelter.
Tourists Stranded in Traffic Jams, Forced to Trek Without Essentials
The continuous snowfall has led to an accumulation of close to 1-2 feet of snow and dangerous black icing on roads, completely halting traffic movement on key stretches of the national highway. A 7-8 km long traffic jam on the highway near Manali has left tourists stranded, forcing many to trek 10-20 kilometers for shelter without access to food, water, or other basic facilities.
Several visitors attempting to reach or leave Manali were compelled to walk these distances while carrying luggage, making the journey extremely exhausting, especially for children and elderly passengers. Reports indicate that tourists trying to depart the hill station are also stuck due to massive traffic jams between Manali and Patli-Khol, with some vehicles stranded for over 24 hours.
Personal Ordeals Highlight Harsh Conditions
Tourists have shared harrowing accounts of their experiences. Bunty, a taxi driver from Chandigarh, described the plight: "We have been stuck in this traffic jam since yesterday, with passengers inside the vehicle helpless, without food or drinkable water. The administration has not sent any JCB or assistance, and they should have cleared the roads when the snow started falling."
Another tourist, Harpal Singh from Gujarat, added: "We spent the night amid a traffic jam in this car, with no food or public toilet facilities nearby. We have moved just 200 meters since yesterday, and the administration should do something."
Locals have expressed concern over the situation. Shivbiyas, a resident, noted: "Tourists are feeling adverse conditions due to heavy snowfall since last night, spending the night in their vehicles. Many are stuck and crying, and the traffic has been jammed for over 24 hours, causing uneasiness due to the temperature."
Road Blockages and Government Response
The snowfall has caused widespread road blockages across Himachal Pradesh. On January 24, over 600 roads were blocked in districts including Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Kinnaur, creating difficulties for both locals and visitors. Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh addressed the issue, stating: "After a very long dry spell, this snowfall has brought happiness among farmers and orchardists, but it also leads to road blockages. We are making all efforts to open them at the earliest."
He further explained that JCB and Poclain machines are continuously engaged in clearing roads in hilly areas, with 350 to 400 machines on standby across divisions, and snow blowers deployed extensively, including within Shimla Municipal Corporation areas.
Appeal for Patience and Ongoing Efforts
Authorities are yet to fully restore traffic movement as snowfall continues in the region. Rescue and road-clearing operations are expected to intensify once weather conditions improve. Minister Singh appealed to tourists: "I request all tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh to maintain the beauty of the state and not panic if there are temporary difficulties. The administration, police, PWD, and all concerned departments are working round the clock to ensure people reach safe places."
He emphasized that road clearance after snowfall takes time and urged everyone to maintain patience. Efforts are ongoing to reopen roads, but the situation remains critical with stranded tourists facing harsh conditions.
