50-km traffic snarl on Chandigarh-Kullu Highway as landslides block trucks carrying fruits, vegetables
PTC Web Desk: Heavy rains and multiple landslides have caused massive disruption on the Chandigarh-Kullu highway, resulting in a 50-km-long traffic jam that has left thousands of vehicles stranded. Among them are hundreds of trucks loaded with fruits and vegetables bound for Delhi-NCR, now stuck for over 48 hours.
In a fresh update, a major landslide has been reported near Podoh on the Manali-Chandigarh road. The highway, which had only recently reopened after a long closure, has once again been shut down for an extended period as the road has completely collapsed due to the landslide.
From June 20 to August 25, a total of 306 persons have lost their lives, while 367 have been injured and 38 remain missing. Among the deaths, 150 were reported in road accidents. Cloudbursts, landslides, and floods have caused widespread destruction, damaging 3,656 houses and shops and 2,819 cowsheds. Additionally, 1,843 livestock animals have died.
The situation remains grim, with frequent landslides continuing to pose a serious threat and spreading fear among residents.
Officials confirmed that the Chandigarh-Manali highway remains blocked at several points, severely impacting the movement of essential supplies. Passengers have been forced to wait for long hours, while truck drivers fear heavy financial losses as their consignments of apples, tomatoes, and vegetables rot inside the vehicles.
According to transporters, each truck carries produce worth Rs 4 lakh to Rs 4.5 lakh, with apple consignments alone valued at over Rs 50 crore now stuck in transit. Although the road has been partially opened for small vehicles, trucks continue to remain trapped due to frequent landslides along the stretch between Mandi and Kullu.
An engineer with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Kullu-Manali, said portions of the road had been severely damaged by the swollen Beas River, with repair work currently underway. Locals have also reported structural damage.
Manali SDM Raman Sharma confirmed that connectivity to Manali has been cut off from one side due to landslides.
Since Monday, four shops, two restaurants, and one house have been damaged in Kullu district. In Bilaspur’s Naina Devi constituency, a house collapsed in Manjhed village after heavy rains on Wednesday.
The downpour has triggered widespread disruption across Himachal Pradesh. Hundreds of roads remain blocked, particularly in Mandi and Kullu, while power and water supply lines have also been hit.
- With inputs from agencies
