A severe snowstorm brought travel across Manali to a standstill over the Republic Day weekend. The snowfall marked the first major spell of the season after nearly three months of dry weather. Roads vanished
under thick snow within hours. Vehicles stopped moving. Power and water supplies were disrupted across several regions. More than 680 roads were blocked across Himachal Pradesh, leaving thousands stranded.
The worst-hit stretch was the Kullu–Manali National Highway. A traffic jam stretched for nearly fifteen kilometres. Many tourists remained stuck inside cars for hours. Temperatures continued dropping as night set in. But, to their resque, locals stepped up.
Hospitality Emerges From Gojra Village
As chaos took place on the roads, an act of kindness began nearby. Women from Gojra village, close to Manali, stepped out carrying flasks filled with hot tea. They walked between stationary vehicles, offering warmth to stranded tourists.
A video of the moment quickly went viral on social media. It showed the women moving steadily through traffic, handing cups to shivering travellers. The clip was shared with a caption that read, “Local women serving hot tea to tourists stranded in Manali’s snowfall traffic jam. No noise, no show off, just warmth and kindness. Across tourist states, one thing stays common. Be polite, be gentle, and people will always step up to help,” exactly as written.
Online reactions poured in soon after. One user wrote, “This is real tourism No reels, no noise-just humanity in action. Be polite, be gentle, and kindness will always find its way.” Another comment read, “No matter how badly tourists treat the mountains, when they get stranded, it’s always the locals who step in with chai and kindness. That tells you who truly belongs there.” A viewer added, “Moments like this remind us how blessed we truly are. Proud Indian. Full of gratitude.”
Weather Warnings And A Reality Check
The snowfall continued for nearly thirty hours without a long break. Over 600 tourists were affected, with many spending the night inside their vehicles. Some travellers reportedly walked nearly twenty kilometres through deep snow. Black ice made several stretches dangerous even for emergency movement.
Authorities confirmed that more than 835 roads remain closed across the state. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for heavy rain and snowfall. Districts including Chamba, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti remain under watch until January 28. Officials are working to clear routes but have advised against non-essential travel.
Amid infrastructure strain and tourist pressure, the episode highlighted something else entirely. In freezing temperatures and gridlocked roads, local women chose empathy. No speeches followed. No credit was demanded. Just tea, patience, and a reminder of what hospitality still looks like in the mountains.
