Tourist hotspots Shimla and Manali in Himachal Pradesh transformed into snowy wonderlands this Christmas, delighting visitors with a picturesque “white Christmas.” However, the heavy snowfall also brought significant challenges, including the closure of over 200 roads, multiple accidents, and a surge in stranded tourists.
- Social media platforms were abuzz with visuals of snow-covered towns and landmarks, including Shimla’s iconic Jakhoo Hill and the Hanuman statue.
- Hotel bookings surged by 30%, with occupancy in Shimla reaching over 70%, according to the Shimla Hotel and Tourism Stakeholders’ Association.
- Over 223 roads, including three national highways, were shut due to heavy snow, severely disrupting traffic.
- Key closures included the highways between Attari and Leh, Sanj to Aut in Kullu, and Khab Sangam to Gramphoo in Lahaul-Spiti.
- Shimla experienced the most disruptions, with 145 road closures. Efforts to clear roads are ongoing, with 268 pieces of snow-clearing machinery deployed, according to Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
- In the past 24 hours, four fatalities and multiple injuries were reported due to vehicles skidding on icy roads.
- Additional Chief Secretary Onkar Sharma urged tourists to follow advisories, consult locals, and avoid driving in snow-covered areas.
- Tourists stranded near the Atal Tunnel were safely rescued on Monday, though upper Shimla remained largely inaccessible except for 4×4 vehicles.
- The higher reaches of Kashmir also experienced heavy snowfall, with temperatures plunging several degrees below freezing.
- Srinagar recorded a low of -6.6°C, while Pahalgam and Gulmarg shivered at -7.8°C and -7.4°C, respectively.
- The extreme cold caused water lines to freeze and ice to form over water bodies, intensifying the region’s ongoing “Chillai-Kalan” period, the harshest part of winter.
The snowfall has brought mixed blessings to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. While it has boosted tourism during the holiday season, it has also posed significant challenges for transportation and public safety.
The Meteorological Department predicts additional snow and rainfall over the coming days, with temperatures likely to drop further until December 26. Tourists are advised to prepare for extreme weather conditions and adhere to safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable winter holiday.