Tourists Face Trouble as Snowfall Causes Vehicle Pile-Up Near Atal Tunnel

Hundreds of vehicles were stranded near the southern portal of the Atal Tunnel after sudden snowfall increased road slipperiness in the area. The unexpected change in weather conditions led to traffic disruptions, leaving many vehicles stuck along the route. As it was the weekend, a large number of tourists had arrived in Manali and had set out on Sunday morning to visit the Atal Tunnel. However, the sudden snowfall and deteriorating weather conditions prevented several vehicles from moving forward, resulting in a significant traffic jam on the road. Police and administrative teams reached the spot immediately after receiving information about the situation. Authorities are currently assisting stranded vehicles and sending them back to Manali one by one to ensure the safety of travelers and to prevent any accidents. Although tourists enjoyed the snowfall during the day, the heavy snow created several difficulties for them. While descending from the Atal Tunnel towards Dhundi, many tourist vehicles began to skid due to slippery road conditions. This resulted in an approximately eight-kilometre-long traffic jam stretching from Hockey Bridge to the other end of the tunnel. As a precautionary measure, the Lahaul-Spiti Police had already begun sending tourists back around 3 p.m. Meanwhile, the Manali Police also stopped tourist vehicles from proceeding towards Lahaul beyond the checkpoint at Solang Nala after 3 p.m. to avoid any potential mishaps amid worsening weather conditions.