Manali Weather Update: Heavy snowfall in the last 48 hours in the Himachal hill station of Manali has disrupted daily life in the region and stranded tourists amid freezing temperatures, according to several reports.
Stranded due to a 7-8 km long traffic jam on the state highway, tourists were forced to walk 10-20 km for shelter without food, water and other facilities, ANI reported on January 25.
The report added that the continuous snowfall led to accumulation of nearly one to two feet of snow and dangerous ice on the roads, bringing traffic to a complete standstill on key stretches of the state highway.
Vehicles buried under snow amid continued snowfall in Manali on Saturday.(NOT Video Grab)A view of traffic jams after heavy snowfall in Manali, Kullu on Sunday. (NOT Video Grab)
Tourists forced to walk 20 km: What we know
According to the report, the state highway came to a standstill for 7 to 8 kilometers blocked, forcing many hikers to abandon their vehicles and trek through deep snow to find shelter.
Many tourists, some stranded for more than 24 hours, abandon their vehicles with luggage in hand and walk 10-20 km to safety. The report states that these include children and elderly passengers. Other passengers also spent the night in their cars amid harsh weather conditions and lack of basic amenities, he added.
Speaking to ANI, Bunty, a taxi driver from Chandigarh, explained that he and his passengers were helpless and stuck in the vehicle for the past 24 hours without food or drinking water. “There is nothing here. We have been stuck in this traffic jam since yesterday and the administration has not sent any JCB or any other help. The administration was supposed to clear the roads when the snow started falling,” he said.
Harpal Singh, a tourist from Gujarat, said he and his family spent the night in a car due to the traffic jam, adding, “There is no food or public toilets nearby and we have moved only 200 meters since yesterday. The administration should do something.”
Local residents have also expressed concern over the situation. Shivbiyas, a resident of the area, said, “Tourists are experiencing adverse conditions due to heavy rains since last night. They have spent the night in their vehicles. Many vehicles are stuck and people are crying here. The weather department has also issued a warning, but the tourists still came. Traffic has been jammed for more than 24 hours. Many people are feeling uneasy because of the temperature.”
Tourists stranded in Manali walk past vehicles after heavy snowfall in Kullu on Sunday.(NOT Video Grab)People walk past vehicles stuck in a traffic jam as heavy snowfall chokes highways and roads, leaving tourists stranded near Manali, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. (PTI photo)
Road reopening efforts: What measures have been taken?
A day earlier on January 24, over 600 roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall in Chamba, Kinnaur, Kullu (including Manali), Lahaul-Spiti and Shimla districts, another ANI report said.
Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh told the agency that the state received snowfall after a “very long dry spell” which “brought happiness to farmers and fruit growers”.
However, he noted that the snowfall has also led to road blockages, adding: “I am in constant contact with ministry officials. According to the latest information, around 600 small and major roads, including link roads and major district roads, have been affected. We are making every effort to open them as soon as possible.”
A long traffic jam of tourist vehicles formed on the Manali Expressway after it was closed due to snowfall, in Manali on Saturday. (Ajay Kumar/ANI Photo)
According to Singh, the following measures were taken:
- JCB and Poclain machines are constantly engaged in road cleaning in hilly areas.
- Snow clearing machines have been widely deployed including Shimla Municipal Corporation areas.
- Approximately 350–400 snow removal machines were on standby in the divisions.
- Snow blowers were also deployed.
Tourists advise “not to panic, preserve the beauty of the state”
“There may be some inconvenience but it takes time to clear the road after snowfall. I request everyone to be patient,” Singh said.
He also appealed to tourists to be patient and cooperate with the authorities. “I request all the tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh to preserve the beauty of the state and not to panic if there is temporary trouble. Administration, police, PWD and all concerned departments are working round the clock to ensure that people reach safe places,” he said.
People watch as a backhoe loader is used to clear a road after fresh snow in Manali in Kullu district, Himachal Pradesh on Saturday. (PTI Photo)An aerial view of snow-covered vehicles stuck in a traffic jam amid snowfall in Manali on Friday. (Ajay Kumar/ANI Photo)
