Himachal’s Kullu-Manali, Lahaul-Spiti cut off for 4th day amid inclement weather

The districts of Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti in Himachal Pradesh are cut off from the rest of the state for the 4th consecutive day as relentless rainfall and extreme weather conditions continue to hamper restoration efforts on major highways.

The crucial Kiratpur-Manali highway, which serves as a lifeline for tourists and locals alike, has suffered extensive damage due to multiple landslides and flash floods triggered by heavy rains. Restoration teams are working round the clock to clear debris and repair damaged stretches, but the persistent inclement weather is posing a serious challenge to their efforts.

Similarly, the Manali-Leh highway, a key strategic and tourism route, remains blocked at several points due to landslides and falling rocks. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is spearheading clearance operations but progress remains slow due to the ongoing rainfall and threat of further slips.

Officials from the BRO and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) have confirmed that machinery and manpower are being deployed on a war footing. However, safety concerns have slowed down the pace of operations in many vulnerable stretches.

“We are facing extremely difficult conditions. The ground is unstable, and continuous rainfall makes it unsafe to operate heavy machinery,” said an official of the NHAI.

Meanwhile, hundreds of vehicles, including tourist buses and local transport, remain stranded in various parts of the affected districts. The local administration has made arrangements for food and shelter, but concerns are rising over supplies running low if the situation persists.

The authorities have advised tourists to postpone travel plans to the region until further notice.

With the tourism season under way, the prolonged disruption is expected to significantly impact local businesses and livelihoods, especially in Kullu-Manali, one of the state’s most popular tourist hubs.

Emergency helplines have been activated, and the state government is monitoring the situation closely.