10,000 Tourists Stranded Amid Heavy Snowfall: Shimla-Manali Face Massive Traffic Jams, 134 Roads Closed

Heavy snowfall has caused a disruption to the normal lives in Himachal Pradesh as approximately 10,000 tourists were left stranded in places such as Shimla and Manali. With the mercury dipping below freezing point, roads blocked, power outages, and massive traffic jams in the state have become mayhem for locals as well as visitors.

Major Disruptions in Himachal Pradesh

Report at State Emergency Operations Center cited closure of as many as 134 roads because of snowfall, including three national highways. Shimla District is the worst, in which 77 road stretch is blocked and transformers that run on over 65 exceedences have been put out of order, leading to long power cuts and power outage areas.

The extreme weather has left tourists stranded in snow-covered regions, including 8,500 people stuck between Sissu, Kokhsar, and the Atal Tunnel Rohtang, while 1,500 tourists faced similar issues in Kufri. Authorities conducted overnight rescue operations to evacuate those trapped in the freezing conditions.

Tourist Movement Restricted

The administration has put restrictions on vehicular movement in Shimla and Manali with thousands thronging there to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Four-wheelers are allowed beyond Dhalli to Kufri in Shimla and Solang Valley to Lahaul in Manali. Continuous snowfall and freezing rain have rendered the roads dangerous, which necessitated these precautions.

Yellow Alert

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more snowfall and rain in parts of Himachal Pradesh, particularly Shimla, until Sunday afternoon. Regions like Bhuntar, Rampur, Manali, and Mandi have already recorded significant rainfall, with Lahaul-Spiti’s Tabo being the coldest at -10.6°C. A yellow alert has been issued, warning of severe cold waves and continued snowfall across the state.

Tourists Advised to Stay Safe

The state has asked travelers to avoid non-essential journeys and to adhere to official guidelines as the state prepares for more snowfall. Rescue operations are underway to ensure the safety of people still stranded. The restoration of blocked roads and disrupted services is also in the works.