255 roads blocked, power and water supply hit in Mandi after heavy rain

Relentless rainfall over the past 48 hours has severely disrupted normal life in Mandi district. As many as 275 roads were blocked in Mandi till ill 10 am today. However, by the evening, 20 roads were restored to traffic, while 255 roads, including one national highway and five major district roads, remained blocked. Landslides, falling debris and overflowing streams had impacted rural connectivity, isolating several villages in the district.

According to the latest official update, 255 rural roads remain blocked, while traffic movement on the National Highway-3 between Mandi and Kotli is completely halted near Lagdhar in Mandi district. Restoration efforts are underway but access to many areas remains a challenge due to ongoing rainfall and fresh landslides.

The highest number of road blockages have been reported in Seraj (116), followed by Thalout (44), Karsog (40), Dharampur (19), Padhar (13), Sundernagar (8), Mandi-II (4), Sarkaghat (4), Jogindernagar (2), Gohar (2), and Nerchowk (2).

Besides road blockages, the district has also faced significant disruption in power and water supply services. Out of 302 electricity transformers that were disrupted due to weather conditions, 159 are still non-functional. The worst-hit areas include Gohar division, where 92 transformers have been affected, and Dharampur, where 60 transformers have been hit, and repair work is being carried out under difficult conditions.

As many as 62 water supply schemes have also been disrupted. Thunag division reported the highest number of 22 affected water supply lines, followed by Karsog (12), Padhar (9), Dharampur (6), Mandi (6), Sundernagar (6) and Baggi (1).

The district authorities, along with teams of the Public Works Department (PWD), Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB), Jal Shakti Department and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), are working round the clock to clear roads, restore power supply and resume drinking water supply. However, continued rainfall and the threat of more landslides are hampering restoration efforts.

Residents have been advised to avoid non-essential travel, especially in vulnerable and hilly areas, and to stay alert for further weather-related advisories. The district administration has assured people that all available resources are being mobilised to normalise essential services as quickly as possible.