Snowy Nightmare in Manali: Hotels 100% Occupied, 685 Roads Closed, Tourists Stuck

Manali snowstorm: Due to heavy snowfall and a western disturbance in Manali and Himachal Pradesh, 685 roads are closed, hotels are fully occupied, and tourists are stuck in traffic jams for 24 hours. Safety warnings issued for sub-zero temperatures. 

Hotels 100% occupied

Sudden heavy snow turned holidays into a nightmare. Hotels are full, 685 roads are closed, and tourists are stuck in traffic for hours.

Tourists stranded on road

After a long dry spell, heavy snow disrupted life. Tourists in Shimla & Manali faced icy roads, causing huge traffic jams in sub-zero temps.

Which districts are most affected?

A total of 685 roads are closed in Himachal. Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Mandi are the worst hit. The Kinnaur district is almost completely cut off.

What caused chaos?

Manali hotels are 100% full. Snow and traffic jams have stranded tourists on highways, forcing them to light fires to survive sub-zero temps. The situation has been further compounded by the long weekend and snowfall - the season's first after nearly a three-month drought.

What IMD said?

A western disturbance from the Mediterranean has hit Himachal. The weather department says this system will stay active until Sunday, bringing more snow.

Administration and safety

The state has issued an advisory until Jan 28. A yellow alert for fog and cold is active in many districts. The admin is on high alert.