- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 28 Dec 2024 11:46 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Weather Himachal Pradesh: Kullu police put in a massive effort to rescue 5,000 stranded tourists after Himachal Pradesh saw a terrible traffic jam with 1,000 vehicles stuck near Solang Nala, a popular ski resort in Kullu district. The traffic jam was the result of heavy snowfall and a huge influx of tourists in the holiday season.
Kullu Police updated about the situation on X.
"Due to fresh snowfall today on 27.12.2024, about 1,000 tourists and other vehicles were stuck in Solang Nala. There were about 5,000 tourists in these vehicles. The vehicles and tourists have been rescued by Kullu Police and taken to safe places. The rescue operation is still going on," the post stated.
आज दिनांक 27.12.2024 को हुई ताज़ा बर्फबारी के कारण सोलंग नाला में करीब 1000 पर्यटक व अन्य वाहन फंस गये थे । इन वाहनो मे करीब 5000 पर्यटक थे। वाहन तथा पर्यटको को कुल्लू पुलिस द्वारा रेस्क्यू करके सुरक्षित स्थानों पर पहुंचाया गया है। बचाव अभियान अभी भी जारी है। pic.twitter.com/s8Z7y7l74U
— Kullu Police (@PoliceKullu) December 27, 2024
The police, along with local authorities, managed to evacuate the stranded tourists and transport them to safer locations despite the continuing snowfall. As of now, the rescue operation remains underway, and authorities are working to clear the blocked roads in the area.
Videos from the spot show how the cops braved the snow and cleared the congestion. One such video, shared by news agency ANI, shows a cop wading in the snow placing sand in rom of the cars so that they don't skid. Another one shows a cop guiding cars on what route to take and when to move.
#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Traffic congestion and slow vehicular movement witnessed in Manali as people throng to hilly areas after fresh snowfall
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024
(Source: Himachal Pradesh Police) pic.twitter.com/hmWfK6Xxjq
High Tourist Influx To Enjoy Himachal Weather
Christmas and New Year celebrations drew tourists from across the country to Manali and other hill stations, where they were treated to a picturesque backdrop of snowfall. However, the influx of visitors resulted in heavy traffic congestion in the area, with Manali being particularly affected by traffic jams.
In contrast, the capital city of Shimla presented a serene winter wonderland scene, blanketed in a thick layer of snow. This fresh spell of snowfall, which came after a two-week hiatus since the first snowfall on December 8, allowed visitors to revel in a magical white winter.
Himachal Weather: IMD Cold Wave Alert
Amid an orange alert from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), several regions of northern states Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir received heavy snowfall on Friday. Several roads and national highways got blocked due to the snowfall, leading to traffic congestion.
The IMD earlier stated that light to moderate snowfall was recorded in several districts of Kashmir due to a western disturbance. The weather department informed that these regions are expected to receive more snowfall in the upcoming days.