Heavy snowfall across the western Himalayan region has disrupted life in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir, causing traffic jams, power outages, and stranding thousands of tourists and residents.
Long Traffic Jams, Tourists Stranded
Fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh brought an end to a prolonged dry spell but severely impacted daily life, especially in popular tourist destinations like Shimla and Manali. Slippery roads and a high volume of tourists traveling during the Republic Day weekend created massive traffic congestion, with vehicles moving at a crawl for hours.
Over 600 tourists were stranded near Manali, with many forced to spend the night inside their vehicles as traffic came to a standstill. One tourist from Delhi, Akshay, said, “We remained stuck in the traffic jam for more than three hours and then decided to walk our way to Manali, covering nearly 7 km.” Another tourist, Trisha, stated, “We had to spend the night in our vehicle and survived on maggi as we were carrying our own portable cylinder.”
Taxi Overcharging Complaints
Tourists reported being overcharged by private taxi operators due to the suspension of public transportation. One tourist, Lakshit, from Delhi, said taxi owners were asking ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 for a 20-km journey between Manali and Patlikuhal.
Hundreds of Roads Blocked
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported that 683 roads remained blocked across Himachal Pradesh, including two national highways: NH-03 (Koksar–Darcha) and NH-505 (Gramphu–Batal). Public Works Department (PWD) minister Vikramaditya Singh said heavy machinery was being used for snow clearance.
“JCBs and poclain machines are continuously engaged in clearing roads in hilly areas. Higher reaches have received 2.5 to 3 feet of snow, while high-altitude areas have recorded up to 4 feet, making road clearance time-consuming,” Singh said.
Power, Water Supply Hit
Power and water supplies were severely disrupted. The number of disrupted distribution transformers (DTRs) rose to 5,775, and 126 water supply schemes were affected. Large parts of Shimla district were without electricity for over 30 hours, and restoration in some rural areas may take five to six days. Bus services on over 1,200 routes were suspended.
Worst-Hit Districts
The worst-affected districts include Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Chamba, Kullu, and Sirmaur. In Lahaul-Spiti, 290 roads were blocked, and key routes such as Koksar–Rohtang Pass, Darcha–Sarchu, and Gramphu–Batal were closed. The Manali–Lahaul route via the Atal Tunnel also remained closed.
Tourist Surge Amid Disruptions
Despite the disruptions, the snowfall led to an increase in tourist arrivals. Hotel occupancy in Shimla is expected to reach 70–80%, according to stakeholders. “Footfall has increased significantly, but prolonged power outages remain a concern. We are spending from our pockets to ensure uninterrupted power supply for tourists,” said Mohinder Seth, president of the Shimla Hotels and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association. Hoteliers in Manali anticipate occupancy to reach 70% once roads reopen.
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue operations continued throughout the state. Twelve tourists stranded near Raghupur Fort in Kullu district were safely rescued by locals and police. In Uttarakhand, nearly 200 people in 50 vehicles were rescued from snowbound sections of the Yamunotri highway, and over 30 people were evacuated overnight in Nainital and Tehri Garhwal.
Kashmir: Over 1,600 Tourists Rescued
In Kashmir, more than 1,600 tourists were rescued from Gulmarg and Tangmarg after heavy snowfall. Gulmarg received over 50 cm of fresh snow, with upper reaches experiencing up to four feet.
Fresh Advisory Issued
With another spell of rain and snow forecast between January 26 and 28, the Himachal Pradesh government issued a fresh advisory, directing district administrations to activate emergency operation centers around-the-clock and ensure the readiness of snow clearance machinery and emergency response teams. Authorities urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and exercise caution during the upcoming weather event.
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