Manali Chokes as First Snowfall Triggers Massive Traffic Jams

Holiday rush and fresh snow leave thousands stranded across Himachal Pradesh

January 25, 2026: Manali, one of Himachal Pradesh’s most popular hill stations, witnessed severe traffic congestion over the weekend as the season’s first snowfall coincided with a heavy tourist influx. Long queues of vehicles brought approach roads to a standstill, with the worst gridlock reported on the Kothi–Manali stretch, where traffic remained jammed for nearly eight kilometres for over 24 hours. Officials said an extended holiday weekend, narrow mountain roads, and snow-covered stretches led to the unprecedented rush, forcing many tourists to seek accommodation in nearby Kullu as hotels in Manali reached full capacity.

The snowfall disrupted life across the state, with as many as 685 roads blocked in Himachal Pradesh. Lahaul and Spiti were the worst affected with 292 road closures, followed by Chamba (132), Mandi (126), Kullu (79), and several other districts. Authorities issued a statewide advisory warning of heavy snowfall and rain between January 26 and 28 due to an active western disturbance, urging people to avoid non-essential travel and adhere to official advisories.

Despite the disruptions, tourists embraced the snowfall, thronging Mall Road, Solang Nala, and nearby scenic spots. Adventure activities such as skiing, snow scooter rides, sledding, and paragliding saw a surge, with special four-wheel-drive vehicles deployed to ferry visitors. Snow-covered peaks and pine forests drew crowds, reaffirming Manali’s appeal as a premier winter destination even as authorities worked to restore normal traffic movement.