Manali Snowfall: The season's first snowfall in Manali on Friday was a visual treat for the locals and the tourists. The officials stated that hundreds of tourists rushed towards Manali as the visuals of snowfall circulated on the social media platforms. The city witnessed heavy traffic congestion on Friday night due to the heavy snowfall and a sudden surge in visitors. The snowfall has led to a sudden drop in temperature and a cold wave in the plain regions. The authorities stated that the city is likely to witness more snowfall in the upcoming days. The police have advised the commuters to follow the guidelines and plan their travel accordingly to avoid any inconveniences.
While providing details, the officials stated that a sudden surge in tourists led to a 16-kilometer-long traffic jam from Patlikuhal to Manali. The tourists were served water and food by the administration during the night hours, reported Jagran.com. They officials further stated that the tourists had to face inconvenience at several sites, including the police station, Volvo stand, Rangri, Tibetan School, Aloo Ground, and 17 Mile.
They asserted that the vehicles collided with each other at these spots, leading to damage to the cars. The police further advised the tourists to stay in the hotel until a fresh notice is issued, adding that the city will continue to witness congestion. SDM Raman Kumar Sharma stated that the continuous snowfall affected the rescue works, adding that extra officials have been deployed to manage the situation.
He further stated that the tourists will now be able to travel smoothly as the snow has been removed from the roads of Manali. The administration has advised the tourists to avoid travelling in the higher regions in the upcoming days. The hilly regions of Himachal Pradesh are set to witness snowfall and light rain in the upcoming days, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD).