Manali is a small town in Himachal Pradesh, but anyone who has been there knows it rarely feels small. The Beas River runs along its edge, and the mountains rise so sharply around it that you are reminded quickly why the town became such a draw.
The name comes from the sage Manu. Local stories say he found refuge here after a flood, and the place grew from that legend. Over centuries it was a stop on trade routes. Today it is something else entirely, a mix of temples, cafés, homestays, and long traffic jams in summer.
Old Manali still keeps a slower rhythm. Wooden houses and apple orchards line the lanes, and guesthouses are tucked between fields. Across the bridge, the newer part of town buzzes with shops selling shawls, trekking gear, and street food. Tourists queue up at the sixteenth century Hadimba Temple, one of the oldest landmarks in the valley.
For adventure seekers, the town is just the beginning. Solang Valley offers paragliding, skiing when snow lasts, and horse rides on its meadows. Rohtang Pass, often crowded, pulls people for its snowfields and the chance to cross into higher country.
Life for locals has changed. Apples still remain the valley’s pride, but tourism has taken over as the mainstay. The growth brings work, yet also choked roads and waste that the hills struggle to carry.
Manali is many things at once. A mythic name, a busy bazaar, a base camp, and for many, the first taste of the Himalaya.
From Kullu–Manali, where highways are choked with stranded vehicles, to Shimla, where daily life has slowed to a crawl, Himachal Pradesh is grappling with snowfall-triggered chaos.
A major accident was narrowly averted in Manali after a car skidded on ice and plunged into a field, an incident captured on a CCTV camera in Nasogi village and now widely shared on social media.
Northern India is experiencing its first major snowfall of the season, transforming hill towns like Shimla, Manali, Doda, and Uttarkashi into scenic winter landscapes. The speaker notes that 'Shimla woke up to look like a winter wonderland' with trees and rooftops blanketed in thick white layers. While the snowfall has attracted tourists from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has significantly disrupted daily life. The Atal Tunnel remains under heavy snow, leaving vehicles stuck and prompting a police alert. In Jammu and Kashmir's Doda, the serene landscape brings fresh challenges for residents in remote regions. Travel has become hazardous in Manali, where vehicles are skidding on icy roads, and in Uttarkashi, where commuting is nearly impossible due to snow-covered cars. Despite the harsh conditions and sub-zero temperatures, the iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train continues its journey through the ice, and tourists continue to flock to the hills to enjoy the seasonal charm.
This report highlights the onset of the first major snowfall across Northern India, affecting hill towns like Shimla, Manali, Doda, and Uttarkashi. An Unidentified speaker notes, 'It's all snowfall and it's all snow over here and the entire mountains are snow-peaked, the ridge is full of snow and this is the situation out here, the temperatures are dipping, the temperatures run in the minus'. While the snow has attracted tourists from states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has significantly disrupted daily life. The iconic Kalka-Shimla toy train was seen navigating through thick ice, and the Atal Tunnel remains under heavy snow. Severe weather conditions have led to traffic jams and skidding vehicles, prompting police to remain on high alert. Despite the challenges of freezing cold and blocked roads, the winter spell has brought a sense of joy to visitors across the northern hill regions.
Parts of North India, including Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Kashmir valley, are experiencing heavy snowfall, leading to significant disruptions. In Himachal Pradesh, Dharamshala and Shimla are covered in thick snow, while vehicles struggle on slippery roads in Chamoli. The 'Unidentified speaker' noted that 'Beyond the Patli Kuhal, only 4x4 vehicles that are being permitted' as authorities manage the influx of tourists during the long weekend. While the snow has created a spectacular white blanket across Kashmir, it has also led to the closure of highways and left many commuters stranded. Emergency services, including the SDRF, remain on high alert to handle any exigencies. Traffic at the Atal Tunnel has been completely halted due to heavy snow accumulation, and travellers are being urged to proceed only with confirmed advance bookings to avoid further congestion and safety risks in the high-altitude regions.
Manali witnessed continuous snowfall over the past 30 hours, drawing tourists eager to enjoy the winter wonderland but causing massive traffic snarls along the Kullu-Manali stretch of NH 3. Although the skies have partially cleared, light snowfall continued, leaving vehicles stranded on snow-covered roads. Authorities have reported that vehicles were stuck at multiple points, forming long queues that stretch for several kilometres. Many tourists arriving last night had to spend the night inside their cars, unable to reach their destinations. Thousands remain stranded between Kullu and Manali as the administration struggled to clear the road. Tourists expressed frustration, saying they came to enjoy the scenery but now simply want to return home. With the road blocked and heavy traffic, even leaving hotels has become a challenge.
On this India Today special report, reporter Asim Basi provides a ground update from the historical ridge in Shimla following the season's first heavy snowfall. Asim Basi noted, 'Yesterday there was heavy snowfall and you can see the visuals now... it is snow peaked all over.' While the fresh snow has brought joy to tourists from Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has also led to significant logistical hurdles. The report highlights that entry points to Shimla were choked with traffic, with some travellers taking six hours to cover just 15 kilometres. Despite the challenges to electricity and basic amenities, the long weekend has seen a massive footfall. Additionally, authorities have halted traffic at the Atal Tunnel due to significant snow accumulation, permitting only 4x4 vehicles beyond Patli Kuhal. Travellers are advised to proceed only with confirmed advance bookings as the administration manages the heavy rush and picturesque but difficult weather conditions.
The top focus of this episode of 5 Live is on the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj Mehta, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 150 on the night of January 16.
In this Special Report, Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the tragic death of 27-year-old techie Yuvraj, who drowned after his car plunged into an open, water-filled pit in Noida's Sector 115. Kapoor highlights the systemic failure, stating, 'Time to hold the system accountable,' as India Today accesses exclusive details from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe. The report reveals that five departments of the Noida Authority are under the scanner, with officials from the SDRF, fire department, and police being questioned regarding response times and lack of precautions. The program also features insights from Arvind Ojha on the SIT's progress and Piyush Mishra's interaction with anguished locals who describe the pit as a hazardous sewage dump. Additionally, the broadcast addresses how severe air pollution is threatening India's global sporting ambitions and provides a winter update on heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand ahead of the Republic Day long weekend.
In this India Today special report, anchor Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor examines the intense winter conditions currently gripping North India. Following a late arrival, the season has intensified with heavy snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Sonal Mehrotra Kapoor notes, 'In the national capital and its adjoining regions, the smell of rain has finally brought the much-needed relief and cheer from the toxic air,' as Delhi's AQI improves. The bulletin highlights significant disruptions, including the cancellation of 26 flights at Srinagar airport and the closure of key mountain passes like Zojila and Mughal Road due to several feet of snow. While the snowfall has transformed tourist hotspots like Gulmarg and Shimla into scenic landscapes just ahead of the Republic Day long weekend, local authorities face challenges in restoring power and road connectivity. Correspondents Ashraf Wani, Ankit Sharma, and Maninder Arora provide ground updates on the weather's impact on agriculture, tourism, and daily life in the Himalayan region.
This special report features the extraordinary journey of Chhonzin Angmo, a 100% blind mountaineer who has scaled some of the world's most formidable peaks. She recounts her historic ascent of Mount Everest on May 19, 2025, Mount Elbrus on August 13, 2025, and Mount Kilimanjaro on December 22, 2025. Angmo describes the unique way she experiences the world from these summits, relying on her guide's descriptions, her senses of hearing and smell, and a profound inner feeling. Sharing a powerful message for everyone, she says, 'If you want to do something in any field, then you should move forward. People's job is to speak, you have to move forward.' The report also touches upon the severe cold wave gripping North India, with record low temperatures and dense fog causing widespread disruption.
On this Special Report, India Today's Deputy Editor Asim Bassi reports from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, on the intense cold wave gripping the region. Bassi highlights that while Manali town remained dry during the New Year celebrations, the 'higher reaches of Rohtang, Kokser' and the Atal Tunnel area received heavy snowfall. He notes that temperatures have plummeted, ranging from 'minus four to minus five' degrees, accompanied by 'bone chilling cold' winds. The programme explores how thousands of tourists are now heading towards the Atal Tunnel to witness the fresh snow.
On this Special Report, India Today's Deputy Editor Aseem Bassi reports from the Lahaul-Spiti district, where temperatures have plummeted to freezing levels. While Manali remains dry, tourists have flocked to the region across the Atal Tunnel to witness snow-packed mountains. Speaking to visitors from Gurgaon, the report captures their mixed emotions of joy and struggle in the harsh weather. Tourist Sachin Chauhan describes the experience as both 'fun' and a 'punishment' due to the bone-chilling cold. The programme highlights the stark contrast in weather conditions and the tourist influx in Himachal Pradesh.
On this Special Report, India Today's Deputy Editor Aseem Bassi reports from Sissu in Lahaul-Spiti, where temperatures have plummeted to -8 degrees Celsius. While Manali remained dry on New Year's, tourists flocked to Sissu to witness fresh snowfall and the 'bone-chilling' cold. The programme features interactions with visitors from Haridwar and Rajasthan who are braving the freezing conditions to enjoy the winter landscape. Bassi highlights the stark contrast between the dry spell in Manali and the whiteout in the higher reaches of Rohtang and Kokshar.
In this Special Report, Aseem Bassi reports from Manali, highlighting the influx of tourists despite bone-chilling conditions. Bassi notes that while Manali town did not witness snowfall, heavy snow was recorded between Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel.
In this special report, an India Today correspondent reports live from the Solang Valley, situated near the Atal Tunnel, on January 1, 2026. The reporter highlights that while Manali town itself did not witness any snowfall, the higher altitudes between Solang and the Atal Tunnel are experiencing heavy snow, bringing immense cheer to thousands of tourists who have flocked to the region. The footage captures tourists in a celebratory 'party mode,' enjoying the fresh snow after celebrating New Year's Eve. However, the reporter also notes that the massive influx of visitors has led to a significant traffic jam on the route between Solang and the Atal Tunnel. The broadcast, filmed by camera person Girish Durgapal, captures the dual scenes of joyous winter tourism and the logistical challenges of heavy snowfall in the mountains.
Even as India waits to ring in 2026, the New Year celebrations have begun in Himachal Pradesh's Manali, with thousands of tourists thronging the Mall Road.
Tourists in Manali and adjoining regions welcomed the New Year with fresh snowfall, particularly along the stretch between Solang Valley and Atal Tunnel.
In this Special Report, India Today’s Deputy Editor Aseem Bassi reports from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, where thousands of tourists have gathered to celebrate the New Year. Reporting from the stretch between Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel, Bassi highlights that while visitors ‘had a full party’ yesterday, they were eagerly waiting for the snow. He confirms that ‘fresh snowfall’ has finally arrived, bringing cheer to tourists who have travelled from states like Hyderabad, Rajasthan, and Gujarat. The report captures the excitement of the crowds as they witness the snowfall they had been hoping for.
In this Super 6 broadcast, the focus is on New Year's Eve celebrations across India. From the lights of Delhi's Connaught Place to the beaches of Goa and the snow-clad mountains of Manali and Gulmarg are buzzing with tourists.
