Heavy Snowfall Strands Over 5,000 Tourists and Vehicles in Solang Nala, Manali-Leh Highway for long hours, Rescued safely to Manali.
Manali:
A major snowstorm disrupted travel in the Lahaul Valley and Manali region on Friday, leaving more than 5,000 tourists and over 1,200 vehicles stranded for long hours on the Manali-Leh Highway, specifically in Solang Nala, Kullu district. The severe snowfall, which began early in the morning, halted traffic, trapping tourists and vehicles in the region’s challenging and snowbound terrain.
The authorities launched swift rescue operations to ensure the safety of the stranded travelers. The Kullu Police department coordinated with local teams to evacuate all vehicles, including buses and cars, from the region. By late night, all trapped tourists were safely transported to Manali.
SDM Manali, Raman Sharma, confirmed that over 5,000 tourists had been safely evacuated along with their vehicles. Approximately 1,200 vehicles were moved from the snow-covered Solang Nala to Manali. The rescue efforts were conducted efficiently, despite the hazardous weather conditions.
Tourists and locals have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel due to ongoing snowfall and treacherous road conditions. The district administration has issued warnings about the possibility of further disruptions if the snowstorm continues.
In response to the situation, the local administration is closely monitoring the weather and collaborating with weather agencies to mitigate any further challenges. The Kullu Police have reassured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to safeguard the well-being of those affected by the snowstorm.
