Amid the ongoing holiday season, a fresh spell of heavy snowfall has made Himachal Pradesh’s Manali a perfect spot for tourists to enjoy Christmas and New Year. As a huge number of tourists have thronged the popular winter destination, hundreds of vehicles are stuck in long traffic jams en route to Manali.

The police have launched a rescue operation in the region and have helped shit around 700 tourists in safe places, reported ANI. Visuals from the area showed police personnel assisting travellers and drivers in navigating their vehicles as snowfall continued.

Long traffic jam in Manali amid heavy snowfall | Video

Several tourists who were stranded in Manali due to long traffic jams and snowfall shared videos of long traffic jams on social media.

Rise in tourist influx amid Christmas, New Year celebration

The situation in Manali aggravated due to a sudden surge in influx of tourist arrival in the city for the celebration of Christmas and New year celebration. 

Earlier, Shimla was blanketed in a pristine sheet of snow, bringing renewed hope and joy to the city. The mesmerizing snowfall, which began after a two-week gap since the first snowfall on December 8, has not only delighted visitors but also rejuvenated the spirits of the local tourism industry, which has been struggling to recover from the losses inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tourists, captivated by the beauty of the snow-clad hills, are extending their stay, making this a season of cheer and celebration for all. This unexpected snowfall has infused excitement among those dreaming of a “White Christmas.” Many tourists, initially planning to leave, have decided to stay back, soaking in the wintry charm of Shimla.

Meanwhile, local businesses, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, are optimistic about an extended tourist season, hoping to make the most of this enchanting winter spell.