Snowfall Chaos Brings Manali to a Standstill: Thousands Stranded as 8‑km Gridlock Paralyses Hill Town

A severe winter surge combined with an overwhelming tourist influx has plunged Manali into one of its worst traffic crises in recent years. An 8‑kilometre‑long traffic jam, 100% hotel occupancy, and thousands of stranded travellers have turned the popular Himalayan destination into a scene of frustration, immobility, and deepening cold.

🌨️ A Perfect Storm: Snowfall, Long Weekend, and Overcrowding

The chaos began on Friday evening when the season’s first major snowfall—after nearly three months of dry weather—coincided with a long holiday weekend. The result was a massive surge of vehicles on the narrow Kullu–Manali corridor, overwhelming the region’s already fragile mountain infrastructure.

The worst congestion was recorded between Kothi and Manali, where vehicles remained stuck for over 24 hours.

Many tourists spent the night inside their cars in freezing temperatures as snow continued to accumulate on the roads.

Authorities reported that 685 roads across Himachal Pradesh were blocked due to heavy snowfall, including two national highways. The highest number of closures—292 roads—was in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by Chamba, Mandi, and Kullu districts.

🚗 Tourists Stranded, Vehicles Buried Under Snow

Images and videos from the region showed vehicles blanketed in thick snow, with some unable to move even after hours of waiting.

• Traffic movement beyond Dhalli near Shimla was suspended due to deep snow on the Hindustan–Tibet Road.
• Several towns, including Narkanda, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Rohru, and Chopal, were completely cut off.

The Himachal Pradesh government issued a statewide advisory warning of an active western disturbance expected to bring more snow and rain between January 26 and 28. A yellow alert for dense fog and cold wave conditions was also issued for multiple districts.

🏨 Hotels Overflowing: 100% Occupancy Forces Tourists Toward Kullu

With Manali’s hotels fully booked, many travellers were forced to divert toward Kullu in search of accommodation.

• Local tourism bodies confirmed that every hotel, homestay, and guesthouse in and around Manali was occupied, leaving late-arriving tourists with no options.
• The extreme rush also led to parking chaos, with vehicles left along narrow mountain roads, further worsening the gridlock.

🆘 Rescue Efforts and Administrative Response

Authorities worked through the night to manage the crisis:

• Police and disaster teams distributed food and water to stranded travellers at vulnerable points.
• Snow‑clearing operations were intensified across the Kullu–Manali stretch and internal roads.
• Only 4×4 vehicles were allowed to proceed beyond certain checkpoints due to slippery, ice‑coated surfaces.

In one incident, 12 tourists stranded near Raghupur Fort were rescued by locals and escorted to safety.

⚠️ Warnings Ignored: Social Media Flags ‘Snowfall Madness’

Social media users and local authorities expressed concern over the reckless rush to hill stations following snowfall alerts.

• Videos showed cars skidding on icy roads, including high‑end SUVs losing traction.
• Commentators urged travellers not to risk their lives “just to see snow,” highlighting the dangers of driving in such conditions without proper equipment like snow chains.

🌧️ More Snow Ahead: Authorities Urge Caution

Meteorologists warn that the western disturbance will remain active through Sunday, bringing additional snowfall and rain.
Officials have urged tourists to:

• Avoid non‑essential travel
• Carry snow chains
• Refrain from night driving
• Follow district advisories closely

With thousands still stranded and road‑clearing operations ongoing, the situation remains tense. The administration continues to work toward restoring mobility, but the combination of weather, terrain, and tourist pressure poses significant challenges.

📰 A Crisis That Raises Bigger Questions

The Manali gridlock underscores a recurring issue: the fragile Himalayan ecosystem is increasingly unable to cope with sudden tourist surges, especially during extreme weather events. As climate patterns shift and travel demand grows, experts argue that better crowd management, stricter vehicle controls, and improved early‑warning systems are urgently needed.

For now, Manali remains a stark reminder of how quickly a winter wonderland can turn into a logistical nightmare.