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Tunnel gridlock! Snowfall brings tunnel traffic to a standstill with 1000 vehicles trapped

Tunnel gridlock! Snowfall brings tunnel traffic to a standstill with 1000 vehicles trapped

A fresh spell of heavy snowfall left nearly 1,000 vehicles stranded for hours, prompting local police to launch a rescue operation and move around 700 tourists to safety.

The incident took place from Solang to Atal Tunnel in Manali town of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh, northern India, on December 23.
Visuals show vehicles lined up for several meters, leaving no space to move, forcing drivers and travelers to get out and search for a way to escape amidst the heavy snowfall in the dark hours of the day.

According to reports, rescue operations have been completed, with all tourists evacuated. As of today, 174 roads, including three national highways, remain blocked in the state due to icy conditions. The state police launched a rescue operation, relocating all tourists to safer locations. Rescue teams worked tirelessly throughout the night, helping drivers navigate their vehicles and ensuring the safety of passengers. By late night, most stranded vehicles were returned to Manali from the Lahaul side.

“The rescue operation started at 2 PM yesterday and was completed by 10 AM today,” said a senior police official. Authorities have advised tourists to travel in 4×4 vehicles designed for snowy terrains and equipped with snow chains for better traction.

According to data from the state emergency operation center, the total number of blocked roads in the hill state as of today stands at 174, including three national highways.

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