Fresh snowfall has rendered more than 1,000 tourists stranded at Solang-Rohtang for hours, leaving Manali in Himachal Pradesh—a favorite tourist destination—grinding to a halt. Heavy snowfall has hit popular destinations like Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Lahaul-Spiti, and Chail in the last couple of days, blocking vital roads.

The snowfall, which began when visitors flocked to the hill stations to usher in Christmas and New Year, added to the chaos.

How were tourists rescued?

Despite the tough conditions, authorities sprang into action. Police rescued around 700 stranded tourists and moved them to safe locations. However, many vehicles remain stuck. "60 to 70 vehicles are still stuck between Solang Nala and Dhundi. They will be safely sent to Manali shortly," said DSP Manali KD Sharma, speaking to Times Now.  He noted that although the weather has improved, the snow-covered roads make driving challenging.

Reports also pointed to the incidents of vehicles skidding while trying to pass the snowy roads near the Atal Tunnel and Dhundi.

Shimla witnesses its second snowfall of season

Shimla woke up to its second light snowfall of the season, with 8 cm of snow recorded. Neighboring areas like Kufri and Narkanda and higher-altitude spots like Kharapathar and Chanshal were covered in white. Intermittent rain and snow were also reported in various parts of the state.

The snowfall caused disruptions in travel across Himachal Pradesh, as 30 roads, including major highways, were closed due to the snow accumulation. The worst-hit national highways were between Attari-Leh and Khab Sangam-Gramphoo in Lahaul-Spiti, said the State Emergency Operation Centre.

Many tourists said the unexpected snow was a dream come true. "The snowfall is such a beautiful sight. The weather is amazing. We didn't expect this at all, but when we woke up this morning, there was snow. We were planning to leave, but now we've decided to stay longer. This is the first snowfall I've ever seen, and it's a lifetime experience for me," a tourist from Haryana shared with ANI.

Tourism stakeholders are equally optimistic. With more snow forecast, hotels are gearing up for a surge in visitors. MK Seth, president of the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders' Association, expects tourist arrivals to rise by 50% during the holiday season.

Challenges faced by locals

While the snowfall has thrilled tourists and farmers, local administrations are finding it difficult to deal with the stranded passengers and ensure safe transit. Lahaul-Spiti Police have issued a warning not to travel on routes such as Kaza to Losar, Kibber, and Demul in view of treacherous conditions.

Dense fog is expected to engulf the Bhakra Dam reservoir area and the Balh Valley in Mandi from Tuesday to Thursday. In some parts of the lower hills, thick ground frost has also been forecast.