The hill stations of Shimla, Manali and others in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir have received a fresh snowfall turning the region white and bringing joy to the tourists on Christmas. However, the snowfall has led to the closure of more than 200 roads, with tourist influx growing multi-fold. More than 500 vehicles were also stranded near the Atal tunnel and were rescued late on Monday night.
On the other hand, four people have died in separate accidents in the past 24 hours, reported PTI adding that several others were injured as vehicles skidded at many places. The report added that at least 223 roads were closed in the state including three national highways.
#Watch: Tourists celebrate Christmas on Mall Road in Manali.#TrendingNow #ViralVideo #Manali #Christmas pic.twitter.com/2H6mJeIRpc
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 25, 2024
Top Updates on Snowfall in Region
Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association president MK Seth told PTI that 70 per cent of the hotels are occupied in Shimla due to a surge in the number of tourists. He added that the snowfall has increased the booking by 30 per cent.
Snowfall was recorded in the Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti and the higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Sirmaur districts. However, many roads have been closed including the NHs between Attari and Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu district, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur district and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti district due to this, the report added.
Shimla has seen the maximum closure of roads with 145 closed for traffic while in Kull, 25 road stretches have been closed and 20 in Mandi district.
Heavy snowfall in Manali: 1,000 vehicles stuck between Solang and Atal Tunnel- #Watch.
At least 700 tourists have been rescued and shifted to safe places.#Snowfall #Manali #ViralVideo pic.twitter.com/3SX9xzWca2
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) December 24, 2024