Kullu-Manali, Lahaul valley cut off for 2nd day due to highway damage; over 2,000 vehicles stranded

Popular tourist destinations Kullu-Manali and Lahaul valley remain completely cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh for the second consecutive day, following extensive damage to the Kiratpur-Manali highway and the Manali-Leh highway. The situation has paralyzed transportation and severely impacted thousands of residents, tourists and farmers in the region.

Officials said multiple stretches of the Kiratpur-Manali highway, particularly between Mandi and Manali, have been washed away due to recent torrential rains and flash floods. In few areas, large portions of the road have been completely destroyed, presenting a daunting challenge to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as it scrambles to begin restoration work.

Simultaneously, the Manali-Leh highway — a vital link to the Lahaul-Spiti and Leh Ladakh region — has also been rendered impassable since yesterday, with significant damage reported beyond Manali towards Keylong. The authorities confirmed that a large number of travellers and residents have been stranded in areas including Lahaul, Kullu-Manali and Mandi due to the dual highway blockades. An estimated 2,000 vehicles are currently stuck at various points across these regions.

The Beas river, swollen due to heavy rains, unleashed destruction in Kullu-Manali on Monday, damaging multiple houses, shops and bridges. Many buildings are now dangerously close to collapsing, raising fears of further destruction if the weather worsens again.

The crisis has also delivered a heavy blow to the region’s horticulture and agriculture sectors. With the apple harvest at its peak, local apple growers in Kullu-Manali are now grappling with massive losses as transportation routes are completely severed. Without access to markets, the timely movement of produce remains impossible, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on horticulture.

“The timing could not have been worse,” said a local apple farmer. “The apples are ready for harvest, but we have no way to send them out. If the situation does not improve quickly, we could lose the entire crop.”

On a positive note, weather conditions improved today, raising hopes for quicker restoration efforts. With clear skies in Mandi, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti, the authorities expect to intensify road clearing and repair operations across the worst-hit areas. Several teams from the NHAI and state disaster management are already on the ground, working to reconnect the region.

However, officials caution that full restoration of highway connectivity, especially in areas where road stretches have been entirely washed away, may take a few more days.

Residents and tourists are urged to avoid travel to the affected regions until further notice. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation for any further weather disturbances. Relief camps and emergency services have been activated across multiple locations to assist stranded individuals.