Manali Snow Chaos: 8 km Traffic Jam Leaves Tourists Stranded Overnight in Freezing Cold

Manali: The first snowfall of this season after a long wait not only changed the picture of Manali, the tourist center of Himachal, but also worsened the situation. While the snow that came after three months of drought turned the mountains white, the journey became full of difficulties for thousands of tourists. After the long weekend of Republic Day and the news of snowfall, the sudden rush of crowds put huge pressure on the arrangements of Manali.

When did the traffic jam go out of control?

The number of vehicles started increasing rapidly from Friday evening. By Saturday and Sunday this pressure turned into a big jam. At many places, vehicles remained parked at one place for hours.

Why did the journey from Kothi to Manali stop?

The road of about eight kilometers between Kothi and Manali was completely blocked. This route was filled with vehicles, and many tourists were stranded there for more than 24 hours.

What happened due to cold and lack of fuel?

People trapped in vehicles in the extreme cold had to face problems of food, water, and fuel. The situation remained more troublesome for children and the elderly.

Did the crisis increase due to the hotel being full?

Most of the hotels in Manali are completely full. Tourists who arrived without booking could not find a place to spend the night. Many people were forced to leave for Kullu and surrounding low-lying areas.

Was all of Himachal affected?

The impact of snowfall was not limited to Manali. Gradually the roads of all of Himachal Pradesh got affected by it. According to government data, currently 685 roads are closed in the state. This has had a direct impact on traffic and the supply of essential goods has also gotten stuck in many areas.

Which areas have the most problems?

Tribal district Lahaul-Spiti is said to be the most affected, where 292 roads are completely closed. 132 roads are blocked in Chamba. At present, there is no traffic on 126 routes in Mandi and 79 routes in Kullu. Many villages have lost contact with the surrounding areas.

Why does the danger from black ice increase?

Slippery snow on the roads, called black ice, is making driving extremely risky. Vehicles were seen slipping at many places.

What has the Meteorological Department warned?

The Meteorological Department has issued yellow and orange alerts in view of the western disturbance. There is a possibility of heavy snowfall in the upper areas between January 26 and 28.

How successful is the administration in providing relief?

Police and administration are on the spot, but due to the crowd and narrow roads, relief work is going on slowly. It is taking time to reach the stranded people.

What is the appeal to tourists?

The administration has clearly said to not undertake unnecessary travel and stay at safe places only. Avoid moving towards the mountains until the situation becomes normal.