Manali-Rohtang Highway Status

The Manali-Rohtang-Keylong opened on Sunday morning at 4am. BRO informed that they worked all night to facilitate voters of Lahaul valley and connected Lahaul valley with Manali. Tourists will not be allowed to use this road for some days.

Kullu administration today said tourists can now visit Marhi, below Rohtang pass, from Sunday. For this, they need to obtain online permit for their vehicle. He also informed that efforts are being made to open Rohtang pass before May 15.

Though Rohtang pass received 15cm more snow today, snow clearance on Manali-Rohtang highway is continuing. BRO has cleared snow upto 1km beyond Rahni nullah, 3km short of Rohtang pass.

Kullu administration has opened Gulaba for tourists. However, no tourist vehicle would be allowed to cross the check-post. There will be no limit on number of vehicles till Gulaba where tourists can see 2 to 5ft of snow. No permit is required to go till Gulaba.

BRO has cleared snow till Chumbak Mor, 30km from Manali and 21km short of Rohtang pass. Road till Beas Nala and Marhi is expected to be cleared of snow by April 20-25. BRO has said that it will open Rohtang pass by mid May. However, Rohtang will be opened for tourists by end of May or early June.

BRO on Monday started snow clearance operation on Manali-Rohtang highway officially after organizing a puja at Gulaba for the safety of jawans and machines. BRO officials said one team is advancing from Gulaba towards Sarchu and other from Sissu (Lahaul) towards Rohtang. They said machines are cutting 6-7ft of snow at Gulaba while snow depth is expected to be 40 to 50ft near Rohtang pass. BRO wants to clear snow from Rohtang before elections scheduled for May 19 so that Lahaul valley connects with Manali. Read full story here.

Finally, BRO has started clearing snow from Manali-Rohtang road on a war footing. BRO’s men and machines have cleared snow till tourist barrier in Gulaba. The jawans had to remove 8 to 10ft of snow here. They may have to cut over 30ft of snow beyond Marhi. The highway is expected to open late as the region has received more snow than last year.

Fresh western disturbance has brought more snowfall to Manali. The area between Palchan and Rohtang pass is receiving heavy snow. Gulaba received over 20cm fresh snow. Marhi and Rohtang pass are expected to have received more than 40cm of snow on Saturday. Cold waves have gripped entire valley.

Himachal witnessed heaviest snowfall of the season. Keylong received over 90cm snow in 48 hours. From Manali till Leh, the entire stretch received heavy snow. Border Roads Organization (BRO) had removed snow from most stretches of the highway in Lahaul but this snowfall has undone their efforts. Manali-Rohtang stretch, in any condition, will not open before April end.

After overnight snowfall, Manali, Rohtang and nearby places are still getting heavy snow. The winter season this year has been good for tourism as Rohtang and nearby areas have enough snow in store for summer months. Meanwhile, there is possibility that Rohtang will not open in April for vehicular traffic.

Eight districts of Himachalreceived heaviest snow of the season. Manali has received over 30cm of snow. Rohtang pass, which remains inaccessible in winter months, has received about 200cm of snow in last 48 hours. Total snow accumulation on Rohtang pass is about 20ft (600cm). The Manali-Rohtang pass highway is expected to open by first week of May.

People of Manali, Shimla and Dalhousie woke up to thick layer of snow today. While Solang and Kothi have received over 45cm of snow, Gulaba, Marhi and Rohtang pass are expected to have received over 60cm, 75cm and 90cm of fresh snow respectively.

Over 50cm of snow on Rohtang pass has added to the thickness. The snowfall is continuing and weatherman has predicted more snowfall in next few days. Entire 51-km stretch of Manali-Rohtang pass road is covered with thick layer of snow. Total snow accumulation of snow on Rohtang is about 10ft (300cm).

Rohtang pass has received over 60cm of snow in last 48 hours. The snow has blocked the Manali-Rohtang-Keylong highway. The rescue posts on either sides of Rohtang are not allowing both vehicular traffic and pedestrian movement towards Rohtang pass. Taking precautionary measures, tourist movement too has been restricted to Solang and Palchan.