Stretch of Manali highway washed away; traffic diverted

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 19

The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway was blocked again just 10 km before Manali town as a major portion of the road was washed away by the flooded Beas this morning. Traffic was diverted from Patlikuhl via the Naggar left bank road between Kullu-Manali.

Due to heavy rain in the upper region of Kullu-Manali, the water level of the Beas had risen drastically. It had forced the district administration of Mandi and Kullu to stop traffic on the highway in view of public safety.

The water level started receding considerably, which helped the district administration to resume traffic on this road between Mandi and Kullu. Mandi DC Rugved Thakur told The Tribune that the situation was normal and no untoward incident was reported. Policemen regulated traffic  between Mandi and Aut. He said a majority of roads were opened. Similarly, in Kullu district, 51 roads were opened, while efforts were on to clear debris from the remaining roads. Kullu DC Richa Verma said efforts were on to restore traffic on the remaining roads.

Movement restored 

Traffic on the Chandigarh-Manali highway was restored between Mandi and Kullu via Dwada around 4 pm on Monday. The road had been blocked since Saturday evening.