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# Fresh snow shuts key mountain roads in Himachal's Lahaul and Spiti
- URL: https://newsanek.com/himachal-lahaul-spiti-fresh-snowfall-passes-shut/
- Published: 2026-11-13T12:31:37.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-13T12:50:53.000Z
- Description: Fresh snowfall has made several high mountain roads unsafe in Himachal Pradesh. Traffic has been stopped or limited on key routes in Lahaul and Spiti and Manali. Police want people to avoid high-altitude areas until conditions improve.
- Author: Kumar Ujjwal
- Tags: India, Himachal Pradesh, Explainer, #state-himachal-pradesh, #state-desk, #region-north, #sm-45, #smemo-useful

Fresh snowfall has blocked or restricted several high mountain roads in Himachal Pradesh.

The snow has fallen in the higher reaches of Lahaul and Spiti district and in parts of Manali.

Snowfall has continued since late Thursday, November 12.

The areas affected include Shinku La Pass, Baralacha Pass and Kunzum Top.

Snow has also started falling in the higher areas of Manali.

Police say road conditions in these high-altitude areas have become unsafe for vehicles.

Traffic towards Shinku La and Baralacha passes was suspended under a police advisory on Friday.

Snow shuts key mountain roads in Lahaul-Spiti

1. **Thu, November 12**Snowfall began in the higher reaches and has continued since late Thursday.
2. **Friday**Traffic towards Shinku La and Baralacha passes was suspended under a police advisory.
3. **Until November 15**The weather forecast predicts wet weather in the state until this date.

Graphic: News Anek, from the facts in this report

### Key points

- Fresh snow has fallen on high passes in Lahaul and Spiti and Manali.
- Traffic towards Shinku La and Baralacha passes has been suspended.
- Only emergency vehicles are allowed towards Rohtang Pass from Marhi.
- Police advise tourists to avoid high-altitude areas until roads improve.

## Which roads are closed right now?

Manali Police have stopped vehicle movement from Marhi towards Rohtang Pass.

![Chandra River from Rohtang Himachal Jul19](https://newsanek.com/content/images/2026/11/himachal-lahaul-spiti-fresh-snowfall-passes-shut-4c8187.jpg)

Representative photo: Chandra River from Rohtang Himachal Jul19\. Photo: Timothy Gonsalves / [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AChandra%5FRiver%5Ffrom%5FRohtang%5FHimachal%5FJul19.jpg?ref=newsanek.com), CC BY-SA 4.0

Only emergency vehicles are allowed on that stretch.

Vehicles that have already reached Marhi are being sent back safely towards Manali.

Traffic towards Kunzum Top has also been suspended. The route towards Chhatru has been closed.

The snowfall has also closed roads connecting Rohtang to Koksar, Darcha to Sarchu, Gramphu to Batal, Losar to Batal, and Rohli to Kadhu Nullah.

These are mountain routes in Lahaul and Spiti district.

## What can drivers do in an emergency?

In emergencies, only four-wheel-drive vehicles with proper snow chains may be allowed.

This depends on a check of the road and weather conditions. Snow chains are metal chains that grip the tyres on snow and ice.

Vehicle movement is also being restricted beyond Gulaba in Manali.

The district administration and police have asked residents and tourists to follow official advisories.

## So why does this matter for travellers?

Many tourists from the plains, especially Delhi and the National Capital Region, have been visiting Himachal to escape post-Diwali air pollution.

The snow may attract even more visitors.

Tourism workers are hopeful about more visitors.

But police say people should stay off high-altitude roads until the weather and road conditions get better.

The weather forecast predicts wet weather in the state until November 15.

Explainer

### What happened before

- The Shimla meteorological office issued a yellow alert on Thursday for thunderstorms and lightning at some places in the state.
- Traffic towards Shinku La and Baralacha passes was suspended under a police advisory on Friday.

### Why it matters

Tourists from the plains are already heading to Himachal to escape post-Diwali air pollution, so the snow may bring even more visitors into risky areas.

### What to watch next

- Only emergency vehicles are allowed towards Rohtang Pass from Marhi, and vehicles already there are being sent back to Manali.
- The weather forecast predicts wet weather in the state until November 15.

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### Sources

- [India Today: Himachal sees fresh snowfall, traffic suspended on key passes in Lahaul and Spiti](https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/himachal-pradesh-snowfall-closes-lahaul-spiti-manali-roads-travel-advisory-ptag-3037935-2026-11-13?ref=newsanek.com)