A fresh wave of concern is sweeping across Himachal Pradesh after recent visuals from the Atal Tunnel’s south portal showed roads completely buried under thick layers of snow, with barely any visible tarmac.
This comes just 2–3 days after a major snow crisis unfolded in the same region. Over 1,000 vehicles were stranded near the Atal Tunnel after heavy snowfall lashed Lahaul-Spiti and surrounding areas. With highways to Manali blocked and visibility dropping, thousands of tourists were forced to spend the night inside their vehicles—many for nearly 20 hours in freezing temperatures.
Emergency response teams, including local police and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), launched a large-scale rescue operation. According to officials, around 700 vehicles were safely guided back to Manali overnight, while the remaining were cleared by the next afternoon.
The situation wasn’t isolated. In neighbouring Jammu & Kashmir, 235 civilians had to be rescued by the Army after severe snowfall blocked access routes in Kishtwar, highlighting the widespread impact of the weather system across the Himalayan belt.
Current scenario at Atal Tunnel south portal. Just look at the massive amount of snow. The road is completely packed and covered in thick snow.
📍 Attal tunnel South Portal pic.twitter.com/MicnXBIHCr
— Nikhil saini (@iNikhilsaini) March 20, 2026
Following the chaos, authorities temporarily shut the Manali–Atal Tunnel highway, while police in Lahaul-Spiti issued strict advisories urging people to avoid unnecessary travel. Weather warnings have only added to the concern, with a yellow alert for light snow followed by an orange alert predicting heavier snowfall in the region.
Can I Go To Manali Right Now?
If you’ve been planning a snow getaway, this is not the right window, especially for Manali and Lahaul-Spiti.
Here’s why you should reconsider travel immediately:
- Road blockages are frequent and unpredictable due to continuous snowfall
- Vehicles are at high risk of getting stranded for long hours
- Sub-zero temperatures can turn dangerous without proper preparation
- Limited access to food, fuel, and medical help during blockades
- Authorities are already issuing advisories against non-essential travel
Current advice:
- Avoid road trips to Atal Tunnel, Rohtang, Lahaul-Spiti, and even Manali for the next few days
- Postpone travel plans until weather conditions stabilise
- If already in Himachal, follow local advisories strictly and avoid venturing into high-altitude routes
