Heavy snowfall paralyses Manali; highway blocks leave tourists stranded overnight
A fresh spell of heavy snowfall has brought Manali to a standstill, with key highway stretches blocked by deep snow and black ice. Hundreds of tourists were left stuck for hours—many overnight—while some trekked long distances with luggage as crews worked to restore movement.
- Reporting desk
- Health India Network News Desk
- First published
What happened
Manali and nearby stretches of the national highway saw severe disruption after heavy snowfall over roughly the last 48 hours led to snow accumulation and slippery “black ice” on roads. With traffic unable to move, long queues of vehicles built up and travellers reported being stranded for extended periods in freezing conditions.
According to the report, around 7–8 km of the highway near Manali remained blocked, prompting some visitors to abandon vehicles and walk through deep snow. The disruption also affected people trying to leave the hill station, as congestion persisted on routes linking Manali with surrounding areas.
Why it became a safety issue
Stranded travellers described a lack of basic facilities such as food, drinking water and toilets while they waited in stationary traffic. Some passengers reportedly spent the night in their vehicles as snowfall continued and clearing equipment could not immediately restore access.
Local voices in the report said the rush continued despite weather alerts, worsening the jam and exposing families—including children and elderly travellers—to harsh conditions. The situation underlined how quickly winter weather in the region can turn dangerous when road access is cut off.
Response and what’s next
Authorities were reported to be working on road-clearing and rescue steps, with efforts expected to intensify once conditions improved. However, the immediate priority remained reopening blocked stretches and safely moving stranded vehicles out of high-risk zones.
Travellers planning mountain trips during active western disturbances were urged—by officials and locals quoted in the report—to follow advisories closely, keep emergency supplies, and avoid pushing into snowbound routes until conditions stabilise.