A 38-year-old tourist from Mumbai died suddenly while holidaying in Manali with relatives, with police suspecting extreme cold exposure as the cause amid prevailing sub-zero temperatures in the region.

The deceased has been identified as Priyanka Vishnu Dukhande, a resident of Kalachowki in Mumbai. Police officials said she fell ill on Tuesday evening after visiting Solang Valley, a popular tourist destination located around 15 km from Manali.

Sudden deterioration after Solang Valley visit

According to police, Priyanka had travelled to Solang Valley earlier in the day with her aunt. While returning to Manali, she reportedly began experiencing uncontrolled shivering, and her condition worsened rapidly.

Her aunt rushed her to a local hospital in Manali, where doctors conducted a preliminary examination and declared her dead. Police said no signs of foul play were found and that the death appeared to be caused by severe cold exposure.

Manali and surrounding areas have been witnessing freezing temperatures over the past several days. On Thursday, the town recorded a minimum temperature of minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.

Weather alerts across Himachal Pradesh

The incident comes amid a series of weather-related warnings in Himachal Pradesh. Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recorded the coldest temperature in the state on Thursday at minus 14.9 degrees Celsius.

The Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment under the DRDO has issued a level-2 yellow avalanche alert for areas located above 3,200 metres in Chamba, Lahaul and Spiti, Kullu and Kinnaur districts.

An avalanche was reported near the North Portal of the Atal Tunnel earlier this week, though no casualties were reported.

Landslide and earthquake reported

Separately, a landslide was reported near Pahnala village in Kullu district on Thursday morning. Officials said there was no loss of life or property and attributed the incident to recent heavy rainfall.

Additionally, an earthquake of magnitude 3.5 struck Kinnaur in the early hours of Thursday. The National Centre for Seismology said the tremor had a depth of 5 km, with its epicentre in the Chango area.

Authorities have advised tourists to exercise extreme caution while travelling in high-altitude regions during severe winter conditions.