Kiratpur-Manali highway closed again due to shooting stones

The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway has once again been closed to vehicular traffic between Mandi and Kullu following fresh incidents of shooting stones near Banala in Mandi district. Heavy rain in the region triggered the falling of stones from the hillside, posing a serious risk to commuters.

The highway had been temporarily restored for a few hours on Saturday evening, allowing limited vehicular movement. However, it was closed again on Saturday night as a precautionary measure due to persistent bad weather and safety concerns. Officials said the risk of landslides and falling debris remains high amid continued rain.

On Sunday morning, an ambulance plying on this stretch met with an accident near Dwada. The vehicle reportedly skidded off the road and fell down a slope, leaving one person injured. The injured was rescued promptly, and efforts are under way to pull the ambulance using a crane.

Meanwhile, the alternative route between Mandi and Kullu via Kamand-Kataula has also been rendered impassable due to landslides, effectively cutting off direct road connectivity between the two districts.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and have advised commuters to avoid travel in the area until further notice. Restoration work on both the main and alternative routes will begin as soon as the weather improves.

The district administration has assured that emergency services are on standby and that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure public safety. People are urged to follow official updates and cooperate with traffic police and disaster response teams.