Heavy rain, snowfall wreak havoc in Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul-Spiti districts

Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul and Spiti districts were severely affected by heavy rain and snowfall today. The relentless downpour and snowfall triggered flashfloods, landslides and power outages, affecting thousands of residents and tourists and disrupting normal life.

The severe weather conditions affected normal life in Kullu, Mandi and Lahaul and Spiti districts. Flashfloods, landslides and snow-related disruptions crippled transportation, power supply and daily services.

In Kullu, flashfloods triggered by heavy rain caused extensive damage. Three vehicles were damaged due to flashfloods in Pahnala and traffic movement was temporarily halted near Shastri Nagar after water and debris from a nearby nullah flowed onto the road. In the Khori Ropa area, parking lots got submerged and vehicles were stuck in knee-deep water.

Residents of Inner Akhara Bazaar were living under a constant threat of landslides from Math hills, which had been destabilised due to diverted drains. Raman, a resident of Inner Akhara Bazaar, fled to a safer place after his house was hit by a landslide from Math hills. Five families living in his neighbourhood also moved to a safer location.

The Inner Akhara Bazaar residents requested the Kullu administration to immediately channel a drain that erupted from Math hills. Roads in the area, including the Sabzi Mandi-Sultanpur road, were blocked following landslides.

Infrastructure in Kullu was severely damaged and 112 roads were blocked due to snowfall and landslides. Besides, 975 electricity transformers were disrupted, plunging large parts of the district into darkness. The Manali region bore the brunt of power outages as 729 transformers were affected. Traffic was also halted on the Manali-Leh highway due to an avalanche near Nehru Kund. Efforts were going on to restore power supply and clear the blocked roads.

The authorities concerned announced that all educational institutions in Kullu, Manali and Banjar subdivisions of the district would remain closed tomorrow due to the adverse weather conditions.

Mandi district also faced severe disruptions due to massive landslides and heavy rainfall. A landslide near the Jalogi tunnel on the Kiratpur-Manali highway led to roadblock, leaving long queues of vehicles on both sides. A total of 27 roads in Mandi were blocked and 571 electricity transformers were damaged, resulting in widespread power outages in rural areas. Schools in Karsog and Padhar divisions of Mandi remained closed due to the inclement weather.

Lahaul and Spiti district was also severely affected as 165 roads were blocked due to heavy snowfall. The Manali-Leh highway was blocked near the Atal Tunnel where nearly six feet of snow had accumulated. The Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphu highway in the Spiti valley was also blocked due to snowfall. Power supply was severely affected, as 55 transformers were disrupted, leaving much of the district in darkness.

Water released from Pandoh Dam

• The Pandoh Dam authorities in Mandi released water from the reservoir, leading to a significant increase in the water level of the Beas. Meanwhile, residents have been advised to stay away from the Beas and other water bodies in the district

Kiratpur-Manali highway blocked

• The Kiratpur-Manali highway was blocked at Bindravani near Mandi in the evening, disrupting traffic movement between Mandi and Kullu. The traffic is being diverted onto alternative routes between Mandi and Kullu until the highway is cleared and restored

Schools closed in Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti

• The district administrations of Kullu and Lahaul and Spiti have closed schools on Saturday to ensure the safety of students and the staff. Karsog SDM Gaurav Mahajan has ordered the closure of all educational institutions for students but the staff will attend duties

Helpline 1077 for emergency services

• An advisory has been issued to the public and tourists to avoid travelling in affected areas until roads are cleared. Emergency services can be reached at helpline number 1077. People have been urged to stay alert and exercise caution while moving around