Multiple viral videos shared on Instagram from Manali, Himachal Pradesh, capture the perils of driving SUVs without preparation on snowy mountain roads. The videos shared by multiple users show various vehicles, including popular models like the Tata Harrier.ev, Mahindra Bolero, Toyota Fortuner, and Mahindra Scorpio-N, struggling amid chaos on icy slopes.
One of the footage shows a Mahindra Bolero SUV sliding uncontrollably down a slope despite the driver's counter-steering attempts, crashing into a white Tata Harrier.ev. Moments later, a swaying Toyota Fortuner was dangerously on a cliff edge, its rear right wheel suspended in the air, appearing on the verge of plunging off. The same Harrier.ev then attempts descent with crowd assistance but still slips downward. A black Mahindra Scorpio-N fares slightly better nearby, balanced precariously but not as tilted as the Fortuner.
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Multiple Similar Incidents Circulate Online
This isn't isolated; several Instagram reels depict similar close calls on Himalayan snow trails. Other shared clips feature SUVs like Scorpio-N variants stuck or flipping in slushy, off-road conditions elsewhere in India, where a lack of traction leads to ditches or edges.
These videos, amassing views rapidly, reveal a pattern: drivers of rugged SUVs underestimate snow's grip. A Fortuner in one clip mirrors the Manali tilt, while Harrier.ev incidents highlight even electric models' vulnerabilities without aids.
Why Preparation Matters on Snowy Terrain
Many assume 4x4 SUVs conquer all terrains, but snowy roads with black ice demand more. Snow chains on tires provide essential traction where standard rubber fails, preventing slides on slopes or glare ice from freezing temperatures. Even equipped vehicles risk getting stuck; inexperienced drivers increase the dangers.
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Experts advise avoiding such routes entirely if unprepared. Black ice, nearly invisible thin layers, causes sudden loss of control, as seen repeatedly in these clips. Staying put beats risking cliffs.
Lessons from Viral Clips
These Instagram-shared videos serve as warnings for adventure seekers. No SUV, from Bolero to Fortuner or Scorpio-N, is immune without chains, skills, and caution. Manali's footage, dated around recent snowstorms, has sparked discussions on responsible off-season travel in Himachal.