Manali, March 15 -- More than a thousand vehicles are stranded near the South Portal of the Atal Tunnel in Manali due to sudden snowfall, resulting in large-scale police deployment to conduct rescue operations for the past three hours, the police said on Sunday.

After heavy snowfall at higher reaches in Kullu, approximately 40 to 50 tourists are reported to be stranded at the Jalori Pass. The Banjar police have successfully rescued two dozen tourists, and active rescue operations are continuing to reach the remaining individuals.

Manali's Deputy Superintendent of Police, KD Sharma, said that he is personally supervising the rescue operation to ensure the safe evacuation of the stranded individuals.

"I am personally present at the spot ...