NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh’s popular winter destinations, Manali and Solang Valley, have experienced significant disruptions due to heavy snowfall in the region, leaving more than 1,800 vehicles stranded, social media posts revealed.
A social media user, Chlucky Tyagi, shared footage of his vehicle caught in traffic, alerting potential visitors and advising them to stay away from the area due to deteriorating weather conditions.
Tyagi posted a video on Instagram on Saturday with the warning, “Manali and Solang Valley, koi bhi mat aana! (Do not come!)”
The footage, recorded at night, shows a queue of vehicles immobilised on the snow-laden Solang Valley-Atal Tunnel route.
Tyagi indicated in his post that he had been stationary since 10am, with no indication of when traffic would resume moving. He noted that the sub-divisional magistrate’s vehicle was also amongst those stuck in the congestion.
Manali DSP KD Sharma reported initiating a rescue mission after over 2,000 vehicles became immobilised between Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel due to harsh weather.
According to Sharma, whilst approximately 1,800 vehicles have been successfully evacuated, about 200 remain stranded.
Shimla and the higher elevations of Himachal Pradesh have experienced persistent heavy rainfall and snowfall over the past some days, resulting in landslides and substantial disruption to everyday activities.