New DelhI: Heavy snowfall across Himachal Pradesh has severely disrupted normal life, bringing road traffic to a near halt and leaving hundreds of tourists and locals stranded for hours — and in many cases, days. From Manali to Shimla, highways have been blanketed under thick layers of snow, turning key routes into virtual parking lots.
Several vehicles have been stuck on highways for 24 to 48 hours, with passengers forced to remain inside their cars amid freezing temperatures. In many areas, snow accumulation has reached 5 to 7 feet, causing tyres to lock and vehicles to skid uncontrollably.
Tourists traveling to Manali reported being trapped for nearly three days, citing lack of food, drinking water and fuel. Many vehicles ran out of petrol while engines remained switched on to avoid freezing conditions. Parents traveling with children described the situation as “extremely distressing.”
“I moved barely one kilometre in nearly 12 hours. There was no police presence or administrative help on the highway,” said a stranded tourist from Punjab. Others claimed they were forced to abandon vehicles and walk several kilometres through snow to reach safety.
The situation has worsened after fresh warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which has forecast continued snowfall and icy winds in higher reaches. Another western disturbance is expected to intensify conditions, further delaying road clearance.
In Manali, temperatures have plunged to below –10°C, forcing residents and tourists to rely on bonfires for warmth. Power outages, snapped electricity lines and frozen water pipelines have compounded the crisis, leaving households without basic amenities.
Anger and frustration among stranded travellers are growing, with many openly questioning the lack of traffic management and emergency response. Several people have now appealed for Army assistance, saying only the armed forces can help clear the gridlock and evacuate those stuck.
Local authorities have urged tourists to postpone travel plans until weather conditions improve. Many stranded travellers are also advising others to avoid hill stations until snowfall subsides and highways are fully restored.
यह भी पढ़ें: मनाली जाने का प्लान टालिए: भारी हिमपात से हालात बिगड़े, सैलानी फंसे
