Heavy Snowfall Paralyzes Manali as Tourists Struggle Without Food, Water and Shelter

A relentless 48‑hour snowfall has thrown the hill town of Manali in Himachal Pradesh into severe disruption, burying roads under thick layers of snow and bringing daily life to a standstill.

Roads Blocked, Thousands Stranded

The Kothi–Manali national highway became completely blocked by snow, triggering a 7-8 km‑long traffic jam. Many tourists were trapped in their vehicles throughout the night without food or water, unable to move in either direction.

Snowfall continued into Sunday morning, worsening the situation. With roads impassable, many stranded visitors were forced to walk nearly 20 km along steep mountain paths to reach government‑run shelters.

Tourist Rush Turns Into Crisis

Shimla, Kullu and Manali are major winter attractions, especially for visitors hoping to witness snowfall. After a disappointing start to the season, the recent heavy snow drew huge crowds from Punjab, Haryana and Delhi.

But the sudden two‑day blizzard has created chaos:

• Tourists spent the night inside cars in freezing temperatures
• Many walked long distances without basic supplies
• Hotels filled up rapidly, leaving newly arrived visitors with no accommodation options

Accommodation Shortage Adds to the Trouble

Early arrivals had already packed local hotels, forcing later tourists to scramble for shelter. With roads blocked and no rooms available, many found themselves stranded in harsh winter conditions.