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. 

Image Credit : X

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.

Image Credit : X

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.

#WATCH | Manali, Himachal Pradesh | Heavy snowfall has covered the roads in Manali, causing traffic congestion. Tourists are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and to follow the instructions issued by the local administration. pic.twitter.com/Ng752coxn9

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2026

Image Credit : X

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.

Social Media पर लोगों ने #Reel देखी नहीं #SnowFall की, कि Delhi NCR दौड़ पड़ता है #हिमाचल_प्रदेश की तरफ. 
नतीजा देखिए कई किलोमीटर का लंबा जाम. 
स्थिति ये कि लोगों को पूरी की पूरी रात कार वगैरह में ही गुजारनी पड़ी.. #Manalipic.twitter.com/ccgyCXgLrR

— Ruby Arun रूबी अरुण (@arunruby08) January 24, 2026

Image Credit : ANI

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.

#WATCH | J&K | Banihal gets draped in white as the region received fresh snowfall. pic.twitter.com/f5pzTn7xPi

— ANI (@ANI) January 25, 2026

Image Credit : ANI

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.

#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: After the recent snowfall in the state, tourists have started rushing to the mountains in Manali and other hill tourist destinations in the state. Drone visuals show a long queue of vehicles moving towards Manali on the Chandigarh-Manali Highway. pic.twitter.com/AVS8FGxc1V

— ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2026

Image Credit : X

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.