7 months ago
Heavy Snowfall Disrupts Travel in Himachal and J&K
A big snowstorm hit Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, blocking many roads and trapping lots of tourists.
Twelve tourists were stuck near Raghupur Fort, but local people helped rescue them.
Many other tourists are still stuck, especially in Manali.
The government has told people not to travel unless they have special cars that can handle the snow.
Some roads are so blocked that even 4x4 vehicles can't pass.
The snow is causing problems with water and electricity too.
The weather is expected to get worse, with more snow and very cold temperatures coming soon.
In Jammu & Kashmir, the Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH44) remained closed for the second consecutive day due to slippery road conditions caused by continuous snowfall.
Flight operations at Srinagar airport are going on normally.
Heavy snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir blocked roads, stranded thousands of tourists, and disrupted power and water supplies.
Twelve tourists stranded near Raghupur Fort in Kullu were rescued by locals and are now proceeding towards Sojha via Jibhi.
Authorities issued advisories restricting vehicular movement and advising against unnecessary travel and trekking in affected areas.
Thousands of tourists remain stranded in Manali, with only 4x4 vehicles allowed to move in certain areas.
The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH44) and NH244 remained closed for the second consecutive day due to slippery road conditions caused by continuous snowfall.
- Who
- Tourists, local residents, and authorities in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
- What
- Heavy snowfall leading to road blockages, stranded tourists, and rescue operations
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, including Manali, Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, Gulmarg, Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Batote, Bhaderwah, and Vaishno Devi
- When
- Saturday, January 24, 2026, with expected heavy snowfall from January 26 to 28, 2026
- Why
- Deteriorating weather conditions and heavy snowfall
Key facts
- Location
- Himachal Pradesh (Manali, Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti) and Jammu & Kashmir (Gulmarg, Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Batote, Bhaderwah, Vaishno Devi)
- Number of Tourists Rescued
- 1,900+ (12 near Raghupur Fort, 1,200 in Manali, 700 still stranded)
- Rescuers
- Local residents and authorities
- Time of Rescue
- Saturday, January 24, 2026
- Current Status of Tourists
- Some proceeding towards Sojha via Jibhi, others still stranded
- Injuries Reported
- None
- Advisory Issued By
- Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), Banjar, and district authorities
- Restricted Areas
- Banjar–Jibhi–Sojha–Jalori belt, Kufri, Manali, and other high-altitude destinations
- Snowfall in Manali
- 45.8 cm
- Snowfall in Shimla
- 40 cm
- Roads Blocked
- 685 (292 in Lahaul-Spiti, 132 in Chamba, 126 in Mandi, 79 in Kullu)
- Water Supply Schemes Affected
- 126
- Transformers Non-functional
- 5,775
- Mobile Medical Teams Deployed
- Manali
- Lowest Temperature Recorded
- -7.2°C in Kukumseri, Lahaul-Spiti
- Weather Warning
- Yellow warning for dense fog and cold wave conditions on Sunday, January 25, 2026
- Expected Heavy Snowfall
- January 26 to 28, 2026
- Water Release from Pandoh Dam
- 3,330 cusecs into the Beas River
- Highway Closure
- Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH44) and NH244 closed for the second consecutive day
- Affected Areas in J&K
- Patnitop, Nathatop, Sanasar, Batote, Banihal, Gool, Bhaderwah, Vaishno Devi
- Flight Operations
- Normal at Srinagar international airport
Timeline
Rivers burst in Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides.
Then, mountain rain fueled Kullu's river overflow, bringing heavy snow.
Snowfall began on December 4, as Shimla's weather office forecast.
12 tourists found themselves trapped at Raghupur Fort by the blizzard.
Rescue teams freed the tourists from the snowbound fort.
Quotes
Vikramaditya Singh
Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister
“There may be some inconvenience, but road clearance after snowfall takes time. I request everyone to maintain patience.”
livemint.com
“I request all tourists visiting Himachal Pradesh to maintain the beauty of the state and not panic if there are temporary difficulties. The administration, police, PWD, and all concerned departments are working round the clock to ensure people reach safe places.”
livemint.com
Bunty
A taxi driver from Chandigarh
“There is nothing here. We have been stuck in this traffic jam since yesterday, and the administration has not sent any JCB or other assistance. The administration should have cleared the roads when it started falling snow.”
livemint.com
Harpal Singh
A tourist from Gujarat
“There is no food or public toilet facilities nearby, and we have moved just 200 meters since yesterday. The administration should do something.”
livemint.com
Shivbiyas
A resident of the area
“The tourists are feeling adverse conditions due to heavy rainfall since last night. They spent the night in their vehicles. Many vehicles are stuck, and people are crying here. The weather department has also given an alert, but the tourists still came. The traffic has been jammed for more than 24 hours now. Many people are experiencing uneasiness due to the temperature.”
livemint.com
Sources
Holidays turn into nightmares: Amid snow-bound beauty, travel of torment for tourists - Telegraph India
J&K: Fresh Snow Blankets Gulmarg, Highway Closed for 2nd Day
After snowfall, trouble: 685 roads blocked, thousands of tourists stranded in Himachal
Manali Nightmare: 8-km Jam, Hotels 100% Occupied, Tourists Stranded On Road
12 tourists rescued from Raghupur Fort in Kullu amid heavy snowfall
JK: Efforts underway to restore traffic on Srinagar-Jammu NH, other key roads post snowfall
683 Roads Blocked, 5,700 Transformers Hit: Snow Disrupts Life In Himachal
Heavy snowfall cripples Manali; tourists trek 20 kms without food, water amid traffic jam
