Himachal rain: Kullu-Mandi highway blocked due to heavy rain

Following heavy rain overnight, the Kullu-Mandi national highway near Pandoh Dam was closed on Tuesday, stranding around 700 vehicles.

Vehicles movement affected:

According to Mandi Superintendent of Police Soumya Sambasivan, a temporary connection road was established after the main route was damaged in the recent landslides. 

Police stopped vehicles between Pandoh and 9 Miles to ensure the safety of commuters. Traffic was diverted via the Kamand-Bajaura road.

She stated that traffic restoration on the other route to the highway would be dependent on weather conditions.

Kullu-Mandi highway will remain closed: 

Arindam Chaudhary, the deputy commissioner of Mandi, has ordered that the Kullu-Mandi highway be closed to traffic for three hours daily for repairs. 

“Due to the cloudburst and landslide in the area this monsoon, the Mandi-Kullu highway is badly damaged between 6-Miles and 9-Miles.” “This highway stretch will be closed daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for repairs,” he stated.

According to the Disaster Management Authority’s State Emergency Operation Centre, more than 280 roads in the state have been shut, including three national highways.

162 roads were closed in Mandi, 31 in Shimla, and 25 in Kullu.

Heavy to Very Heavy rain prediction:

After cracks emerged in their houses at Majri village in Solan district’s Barotiwala area, 17 families were forced to leave their homes. 

Houses in Katal Pakoti village have also developed cracks. The residents have been moved to safer areas, and the administration monitors the situation.

The state’s meteorological department has predicted heavy rain over the next three days.

A yellow notice was issued across the state on Tuesday, with an orange alert for Wednesday and Thursday, according to Surender Paul, director of the Shimla MeT centre.

Heavy rainfall can push landslides and flash floods, causing road closures and disruptions to key services. People are advised to avoid needless travel and stay away from landslide-prone places.

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