Himachal: Heavy rain triggers landslides, flooding in Mandi; many highways blocked
PTC Web Desk: Continuous heavy rainfall since last evening has unleashed widespread chaos across Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, causing landslides, road blockages, and flooding. The situation has severely impacted daily life and cut off major transport routes.
The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway (NH-3), a crucial road connecting Mandi and Kullu, has been blocked at several points due to massive landslides and ongoing shooting stones. The alternate Kataula–Kamand route has also been rendered unusable due to similar conditions.
Multiple key roads across the region, including the Mandi-Dharampur highway near Kainchi Mod and the Mandi-Jogindernagar road, have become impassable due to debris and waterlogging. The Mandi-Rewalsar road near Lohardi is also affected, while several internal roads and link routes remain blocked.
In the Balh area, intense waterlogging has created additional challenges for both local residents and emergency responders. Meanwhile, the Beas River and its tributaries are swollen and flowing near danger levels, increasing fears of flash floods in low-lying regions.
The local authorities have initiated large-scale restoration work, but the relentless rainfall and fragile terrain are slowing down relief operations. Excavators and emergency teams are working round the clock to clear blocked roads and ensure emergency accessibility.
The Mandi police have issued a public advisory urging people to avoid non-essential travel, stay away from landslide-prone slopes and riverbanks, and cooperate with disaster management personnel on the ground.
The Meteorological Department has predicted continued rainfall in the region, prompting authorities to stay on high alert. The local administration is monitoring the evolving situation closely and providing regular updates to the public.
Residents across the district are facing significant hardship, with disrupted transportation, communication blackouts, and limited access to essential services.
- With inputs from agencies
