MANALI: A heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh’s Manali on Monday left approximately 1,000 vehicles stranded between Solang and the Atal Tunnel. Police launched a rescue operation and managed to safely evacuate around 700 tourists. The snowfall caused significant traffic congestion, with authorities working to assist travelers navigating the challenging conditions.
The surge in tourist numbers during the Christmas and New Year holidays further complicated the situation.
Meanwhile, Shimla also witnessed fresh snowfall after a two-week dry spell, providing a much-needed boost to the local tourism industry, which had been struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Many tourists extended their stays to enjoy the snow, raising hopes among local businesses for an extended tourist season.
Tourists shared their excitement about the snowfall. Hemant, a visitor from Rewari, Haryana, expressed his delight: “The snowfall is breathtaking. The weather is incredible. We didn’t expect it, but waking up to snow was a pleasant surprise. We were about to leave, but now we’ve decided to stay longer. This is my first snowfall, and it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Pramod Yogi, from Faridabad, Haryana, echoed similar sentiments: “The joy this snowfall has brought is indescribable. Experiencing nature’s stunning beauty for the first time has been incredible. I urge everyone to visit and witness this magic. Watching the snowfall has been thrilling, and I wholeheartedly recommend others to come here and enjoy it.”
