The Manali-Leh Highway is currently closed, and will no longer is available for civilian vehicles for the next few months. The highway closed down from November 2 due to heavy snowfall, and is set to open in April-May, 2022. The Darcha-Padum road is also currently closed for all kinds of vehicular movements. Moreover, the Gramphu-Kaza highway is also currently closed.
The police in the region has said that people are insisting on going on the road (beyond Darcha), even though it is very dangerous to do so right now. It has been decided that unruly tourists will be booked if they do not follow protocol.
Manav Verma, Lahaul-Spiti Superintendent of Police, said, “We are noticing that tourists staying in hotels and homestays of Lahaul are trying to go towards officially closed Baralacha and Shinkula. This can result in a mishap. Given the present situation, police are needed to take preventive measures to avoid any accident. So, under Section 149 of CrPC Act, civilian vehicular movement shall remain banned beyond Darcha until the highway is again reopened officially in the next summer season.”
Going to see snow in Lahaul is one of the best things to do for travellers coming to the area, however, one must be aware of the weather and road conditions during this time of the year. The highway beyond Darcha is currently covered in ice, and the weather is extremely cold. At such a time it is not safe to drive or to hire taxis to go to see the snow.
The police has also ordered hotels, homestays, and other accommodation facilities to let their guests know about the situation regarding the road closure.
