Kiratpur-Manali highway reopened for light vehicles

After a massive landslide struck the Khotinala area in Mandi district early Saturday morning, blocking the Kiratpur-Manali national highway (NH-3) once again, traffic was restored for light vehicles by this evening.

The highway, which connects major tourist and business destinations like Mandi, Kullu and Manali was blocked for several hours due to the landslide, which brought down large amounts of debris and rocks, making the road impassable.

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which had just reopened the highway the day before after a four-day closure due to a previous landslide, immediately deployed heavy machinery and workers to clear the debris and restore the road.

The authorities said, “Light vehicle movement has been allowed. The highway may be closed again if the weather turns rainy, as the road is prone to landslides, posing a risk to public safety.”

The reclosure of the highway disrupted the movement of hundreds of vehicles, including commuters, tourists and transport operators throughout the day.

Mandi SP Sakshi Verma said the road had been opened for light traffic, but cautioned that the situation remained volatile due to the unpredictable weather.

In Kullu district, road connectivity between Kullu and Manali via Aleo on the left bank road was also restored today after a gap of five days. Furthermore, the Manali-Leh highway beyond the Atal Tunnel has been reopened, although efforts were still underway to restore the road connectivity from Manali to the Atal Tunnel on Manali-Leh highway.

Significant damage

In a separate incident, a flashflood triggered by heavy rain wreaked havoc in Katwadhi village, located under the Nandi panchayat in the Gohar subdivision of Mandi district. The flood, which occurred last night, caused significant damage to infrastructure, particularly affecting the only stone-cutting industry in the area and a few shops. A parked car was also swept away by the strong current. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported, and the residents managed to escape with their lives.

The flashflood was caused by a sudden surge of water in the Naseni Nallah, which caught residents off guard as the water levels rose rapidly. Panchayat Pradhan Fata Ram said relief efforts were underway. Local administration teams reached the affected area and begun assessment and rescue operations.

The authorities have urged travellers and residents to stay updated through official channels. Given the frequent natural disruptions in the region, the district administration remains on high alert and is prepared to respond to any further emergencies.

As the region continues to face unpredictable weather patterns, the residents and visitors have been advised to exercise caution, especially in vulnerable areas prone to landslides and flashfloods.