Manali Snowstorm Paralyzes Life, Leaves Tourists Stranded in Freezing Conditions
Heavy snowfall over the past 48 hours has brought life in the popular hill station of Manali to a complete standstill, creating a crisis situation with blocked national highways and hundreds of tourists stranded amid freezing temperatures. The continuous snow accumulation, measuring between one to two feet, has transformed the picturesque destination into a scene of distress and logistical nightmares.
Highway Blockades and Traffic Paralysis
Nearly 7–8 kilometres of the national highway near Manali remain completely blocked, bringing all vehicular movement to a grinding halt. The situation has been exacerbated by hazardous black ice forming on road surfaces, making driving conditions extremely dangerous and virtually impossible. Key highway stretches, particularly the Manali–Patli-Khol corridor, have become massive parking lots of stranded vehicles.
Many tourists attempting to reach their destinations have been forced to abandon their vehicles and undertake arduous treks through deep snow. Reports indicate visitors trekking 10–20 kilometres with their luggage, a journey made particularly exhausting for children and elderly passengers who are ill-equipped for such physical challenges in harsh weather conditions.
Tourist Ordeals and Administrative Challenges
The stranded tourists are facing severe hardships, with many vehicles stuck for over 24 hours. Passengers have been compelled to spend nights inside their cars amid freezing temperatures, lacking basic facilities like food, drinkable water, and proper sanitation. The absence of public toilet facilities has added to their misery, creating unsanitary conditions in an already challenging environment.
Bunty, a taxi driver from Chandigarh, described the desperate situation: "I have come here with a traveller. We have been experiencing heavy snowfall for the last 24 hours. The passengers in my vehicle are inside, helpless, without food or drinkable water, as there is nothing here. We have been stuck in this traffic jam since yesterday, and the administration has not sent any JCB or other assistance. The administration should have cleared the roads when it started falling snow."
Another tourist, Harpal Singh from Gujarat, shared his family's ordeal: "I came here yesterday with the family, and we spent our night amid a traffic jam in this car. There is no food or public toilet facilities nearby, and we have moved just 200 meters since yesterday. The administration should do something."
Local Concerns and Weather Warnings
Local residents have expressed deep concern about the unfolding crisis. Shivbiyas, a resident of the area, highlighted the severity of the situation: "The tourists are feeling adverse conditions due to heavy rainfall since last night. They spent the night in their vehicles. Many vehicles are stuck, and people are crying here. The weather department has also given an alert, but the tourists still came. The traffic has been jammed for more than 24 hours now. Many people are experiencing uneasiness due to the temperature."
The persistence of tourists despite weather warnings has complicated the situation, though authorities face criticism for not taking preemptive measures when snowfall began. The combination of tourist influx and inadequate preparedness has created a perfect storm of logistical challenges.
Rescue Operations and Future Outlook
Authorities have yet to fully restore traffic movement as snowfall continues to affect the region. Rescue and road-clearing operations face significant challenges due to ongoing weather conditions, with efforts expected to intensify once the snowfall subsides and visibility improves. The administration's response capacity is being tested as they coordinate resources to address both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term infrastructure restoration.
The situation underscores the vulnerability of popular tourist destinations to extreme weather events and highlights the need for better emergency response mechanisms during peak tourist seasons. As Manali grapples with this snowstorm crisis, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of stranded tourists while working to restore normalcy to this vital transportation corridor.
