Manali Horror: Over 1,000 vehicles stuck, tourists spend 20 hours in freezing cold near Atal Tunnel

Thousands of tourists were left stranded in and around the Atal Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti after heavy snowfall began on Sunday evening. The sudden weather deterioration led to the blockage of key routes, leaving travellers trapped overnight in freezing conditions.

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More than 1,000 vehicles were stuck near the tunnel, with snow accumulation exceeding two feet in some areas. Many tourists reportedly spent nearly 20 hours inside their vehicles as the highway connecting to Manali became impassable.


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Police and BRO Lead Rescue Operations Near Atal Tunnel

Rescue operations were swiftly initiated by local police and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Authorities managed to guide around 700 vehicles safely back to Manali on Sunday night, while the remaining vehicles were cleared by Monday afternoon.

Officials confirmed that the Manali–Atal Tunnel highway has now been closed due to ongoing snowfall, and advisories have been issued urging travellers to avoid non-essential journeys.

Severe Weather Disrupts Travel in Himachal Pradesh

The region continues to experience harsh weather conditions, with temperatures in Manali dropping to 2.9°C. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for light rain and snowfall on March 17 and 18, followed by an orange alert warning of heavier precipitation on March 19.

Authorities have cautioned that further disruptions are likely, especially in high-altitude areas.

Army Rescues Civilians in Kishtwar After Snowfall

In a separate incident, the Indian Army carried out a major rescue operation in Kishtwar, where 235 civilians were stranded due to heavy snowfall and blocked mountain routes.

The rescue effort, led by the White Knight Corps, focused on the high-altitude Sinthan Top, a popular tourist destination. Stranded individuals were provided with hot meals, drinking water and temporary shelter before being safely evacuated.

Weather Forecast for Manali

According to the latest forecast, Manali is expected to witness continued unstable weather conditions over the coming days. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (40–50 kmph) are predicted on March 18 and 19. Light rain and cloudy skies are likely to persist on March 20 and 21, with no major warnings issued for these dates.

Authorities Urge Caution Amid Ongoing Snowfall

Officials have strongly advised tourists and locals to monitor weather updates and avoid travelling to high-altitude regions during adverse conditions. With heavy snowfall continuing to impact key routes, emergency teams remain on high alert to manage further disruptions.

Inputs from TOI