Snow Paradise Turns Into Traffic Nightmare: Manali Struggles to Cope After Heavy Snowfall

Three days after a picture-perfect snowfall transformed Manali into a winter wonderland, the reality on the ground has been far less idyllic. Thousands of tourists remain stranded as traffic jams stretch for kilometres, turning the dream of a snowy getaway into an exhausting ordeal.

Highways leading into the town are clogged bumper-to-bumper, leaving visitors stuck between Mandi and Patlikul, some for days. Ironically, while the snow has created postcard-worthy scenery, Manali’s hotels are reporting unusually low occupancy—tourists simply can’t get through the bottlenecks to reach them.

On Sunday, congestion from Manali to Kalath stretched nearly 7 km, a slight improvement from Saturday’s 16 km jam. Yet, vehicles continued to crawl at a painfully slow pace, with long queues even near the Aloo Ground.

For those already in Manali, the snowfall has brought daily life to a standstill. Many tourists trying to return home have had to walk several kilometres, lugging bags and carrying children, just to find alternative transport.

Authorities, hoteliers, and tour operators have joined forces to ease the crisis. District teams and police have been working around the clock, while local associations provide on-ground support to stranded visitors. Officials remain optimistic that traffic will normalize soon, urging tourists not to cancel their plans.

Still, safety concerns loom large. A viral video of a car skidding into a ditch has underscored the risks of driving on snowbound roads. Experts advise extreme caution—using lower gears, avoiding sudden braking, and opting for four-wheel-drive vehicles or local rentals better suited to the terrain.

For now, Manali’s snowy charm is overshadowed by gridlock, leaving tourists with a story of endurance rather than leisure.