Manali cut off from Himachal for 3rd day

Relentless torrential rains have plunged Mandi district into crisis, unleashing widespread landslides that have crippled road connectivity, stranded thousands and brought daily life to a standstill. With 288 roads blocked, including the vital Kiratpur-Manali highway, the region remains virtually cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh for the third consecutive day.

The Kiratpur-Manali four-lane, a lifeline linking Mandi with Kullu, Manali, Lahaul-Spiti and Leh-Ladakh, has been completely closed between Mandi and Banala due to multiple landslides. The shutdown has stranded more than 2,000 vehicles on either side, leaving locals, commuters and tourists stuck in worsening weather.

Hopes of relief through the Kataula detour were dashed when that route too was blocked by a fresh landslide, creating a logistical nightmare for the administration.

Elsewhere, the Baralacha Pass on the Manali-Leh highway received fresh snowfall, leaving three trucks stranded in Lahaul-Spiti before local police evacuated them safely. Authorities also advised travellers to avoid non-essential journeys. Similarly, heavy snowfall at Kunzum Pass has cut off Lahaul valley from Spiti since yesterday.

The disruptions are hitting the local economy hard, particularly farmers in Lahaul and Spiti. Former Zila Parishad chairman Ramesh Kumar Rulba warned that large quantities of vegetables are rotting in the fields, threatening the seasonal income of farmers and potentially disrupting supply chains across the state.

Authorities are working round the clock to restore connectivity, electricity and water lines, but persistent rainfall and the risk of fresh landslides continue to slow progress. The district administration has urged residents to stay indoors unless necessary and to strictly follow safety advisories.

With forecasts predicting more rain, officials fear the crisis could deepen before conditions improve. Disaster management teams remain on high alert, monitoring the situation closely.