Heavy snowfall triggers an 8-km jam in Manali; tourists forced to trek with luggage as roads choke

What happened in Manali

Manali and surrounding hill stretches saw heavy snowfall over roughly 48 hours, disrupting daily life and choking road connectivity. The disruption culminated in a long traffic snarl on a national highway segment, with the jam stretching to around 8 km. With movement at a standstill and conditions worsening, many travellers were left waiting for hours in freezing weather.

As the backlog grew, some tourists reportedly abandoned vehicles and began walking, carrying bags and suitcases over long distances. Local reports described treks ranging from about 10 km to as much as 20 km as people attempted to reach safer points, accommodation, or transport hubs. The situation also raised concerns about access to food, warmth, shelter, and medical help for those stuck in traffic.

Administration response and travel caution

Authorities and local teams have been engaged in clearing snow and restoring traffic flow, but conditions in hill regions can change rapidly when snowfall is sustained. Visitors were advised to avoid unnecessary travel, follow official advisories, and plan movement only after checking road status and weather updates.

For travellers already in the area, officials typically recommend keeping vehicles fuelled, carrying winter essentials, and staying inside safe accommodation during heavy snow spells. The continuing weather pattern means intermittent road closures and slow restoration are possible, especially on narrow stretches where snow clearance and vehicle recovery take time.

What to watch next

• Whether snowfall eases enough for sustained snow-clearing operations
• Updates on highway reopening and traffic decongestion timelines
• Local advisories for tourists on routes, parking and restricted zones
• Any emergency support measures for stranded visitors