Around 5,000 tourists stranded at Solang Nala, a popular ski resort in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, were rescued on Friday following heavy snowfall in the region. The rescue operation, conducted by Kullu Police, was initiated after approximately 1,000 vehicles were stuck in the area due to fresh snowfall on December 27.
In a statement posted on X, Kullu Police confirmed the success of the operation. “Due to fresh snowfall today, about 1,000 vehicles with around 5,000 tourists were stuck in Solang Nala. The vehicles and tourists have been rescued and taken to safe places. The rescue operation is still ongoing,” the police said. The swift action ensured the safety of stranded tourists and highlighted the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions in the region.
Himachal Pradesh continues to experience severe winter weather, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an orange alert for heavy snowfall and cold waves in the state for December 27 and 28. The snowfall has significantly impacted six districts—Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Shimla, and Kinnaur—leading to disruptions in travel and daily life.
The IMD has also forecast a renewed cold wave starting from December 29, which is expected to affect the plains, including districts such as Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Una. Severe cold conditions are likely to persist in these areas, along with Mandi, Kullu, and Chamba, until January 1. Dense fog is anticipated in isolated locations on January 1, further reducing visibility and complicating travel conditions.
In Shimla, the state capital, temperatures hovered around 5°C on Friday, with a slight increase expected on December 28. However, after December 29, a significant drop in minimum temperatures is predicted, intensifying the cold wave across the state.
Residents and travelers have been advised by the IMD to exercise caution and take necessary precautions, particularly in snow-affected regions where road blockages and disruptions are common. With heavy snowfall and severe cold waves expected to continue, authorities are preparing for a challenging weather phase in the coming days.
The current weather conditions have underscored the importance of timely alerts and coordinated rescue efforts, ensuring the safety of residents and tourists in Himachal Pradesh’s snow-affected regions.
