Manali-Chandigarh highway blocked due to rainfall; restoration work underway
2 min read 26 Jun 2023, 12:38 PM ISTHeavy rainfall causes landslides and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, leading to the closure of several roads. Commuters are advised to avoid the area until roads are cleared.
PremiumHeavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district leads to the landslide on the Chandigarh-Manali highway. Hundreds of commuters were stranded near Aut, Mandi's district because of landslides and flash floods.
The restoration work of the highway is underway as explosives are being used to blast heavy boulders blocking roads on the stretch.
As per the official national highway-21 is expected to reopen for traffic in seven-eight hours.
The commuters have been advised not to move towards Mandi until the road is opened, the Mandi administration said.
Moderate to heavy rains have also lashed several parts of the Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts.
Dharamshala in Kangra was the wettest with 106.6 mm of rain followed by Kataula at 74.5 mm, Gohar 67 mm, Mandi 56.4 mm, Poanta Sahib 43 mm, and Palampur 32.2 mm.
In the Bagipul area of Mandi, over 200 locals and tourists got stranded due to rainfall. Besides, landslides have occurred at many places between Charmile to Satmile on Pandoh-Mandi NH in the state. Mandi-Kullu road via Katola is closed due to a heavy landslide near Kamand. About 25-30 vehicles are stuck and arrangements are being made for the people to stay, and efforts are being made to clear the debris overnight. Significantly, incessant rains in the last 24 hours, have caused extensive damage as vehicles were seen washed away in a flash flood at Janjheli in Mandi. Also, the water level in the Beas River flowing through Mandi has increased following cloudburst.
Himachal's local meteorological department has issued an alert for heavy rain, thunderstorm, and lightning at isolated places on 27 and 28 June and thunderstorms coupled with lightning from June 27-29.
Yesterday incessant rainfall in Himachal Pradesh damaged eight vehicles in Kullu.
Monsoon approached Himachal on 24 June. As per the IMD officials, Kotla in Mandi has received the highest rain in the state.
