Manali, 24 December
Himachal Pradesh: Several vehicles got stuck between Solang and Atal Surang, Rohtang in the latest round of heavy snowfall in Manali, Himachal Pradesh on Monday and tourists were stuck in their vehicles for hours. Around 1,000 vehicles were stuck in the long traffic jam, prompting police to launch rescue operations and evacuate around 700 tourists to safer places, according to officials.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Traffic congestion and slow vehicular movement witnessed in Manali as people throng to hilly areas after fresh snowfall
(Source: Himachal Pradesh Police) pic.twitter.com/hmWfK6Xxjq
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024
Recent images from the area show police personnel helping commuters and drivers navigate their vehicles as the snowfall continues. The situation is aggravated by the influx of tourists who come to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the snow-capped mountains. Earlier Shimla was covered in a blanket of snow. After a gap of two weeks since the first snowfall on December 8, the mesmerizing snowfall not only attracted tourists but also revived the spirits of the local tourism industry.
Tourists are enthralled by the beauty of the snow-capped hills and are planning to stay here for more days. The sudden snowfall has fueled excitement among those dreaming of a “white Christmas”. ANI
174 roads, 3 national highways closed
A total of 177 roads, including three national highways, were closed due to snowfall on Monday. Of these, Shimla district had the highest number of road closures in the state at 89, followed by 44 in Kinnaur district, 25 in Mandi, six in Kangra and Kullu, three each in Una and Lahaul and Spiti and one in Chamba district. remained .
Besides, NH-3 and NH-305 in Kullu district and NH-505 in Lahaul and Spiti districts remained closed for vehicular traffic and 683 distribution transformers (DTRs) were disrupted across the state.
Meanwhile, light snowfall is expected in Lahaul and different areas of Spiti and Kinnaur districts and light rain in different areas of Shimla, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur and Kullu districts on Tuesday.