Scenic Kullu-Manali, Lahaul cut off for 3rd day; 2,000 vehicles stranded after rain fury

For the third straight day, the scenic yet vulnerable regions of Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valley remain completely cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh, as the Kiratpur-Manali and Manali-Leh highways continue to reel under the impact of massive rain-induced destruction.

The widespread damage to these critical highways has brought life to a standstill, stranding a large number of tourists and locals while simultaneously delivering a serious blow to the region's horticulture and agricultural economy.

According to district officials, severe cloudbursts and flash floods on Monday caused extensive washouts and landslides on multiple stretches of the Kiratpur-Manali highway, especially between Mandi and Manali.

Several portions of the road have either collapsed or been completely swept away, leaving gaping voids that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now struggling to address amid unstable terrain and logistical challenges.

The parallel Manali-Leh highway, a crucial arterial route that connects Himachal Pradesh to Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh, has also suffered major damage beyond Manali, particularly towards Keylong.

The destruction has effectively stranded a large number of residents, tourists, and transporters across key locations including Lahaul, Kullu, Manali, and Mandi.

Officials estimate that more than 2,000 vehicles remain stuck at various locations due to road blockades. With alternative routes either unsafe or inaccessible, traffic movement has come to a standstill, prompting the administration to advise against travel to or from the affected zones.

The Beas River, swollen due to relentless downpours, further escalated the crisis by damaging houses, shops, and bridges in parts of Kullu and Manali earlier this week.

Several buildings near the riverbanks are reportedly on the verge of collapse, raising fresh safety concerns as rescue and evacuation efforts continue.

The blockade comes at the peak of the apple and vegetable harvesting season, dealing a devastating blow to local horticulture and agriculture.

With transportation routes severed, apple growers in Kullu and Manali and vegetable growers in Lahaul Valley find themselves unable to send produce to markets, facing significant financial losses.

The lack of cold storage and the perishability of the produce add to the urgency, as tons of apples and vegetables risk going to waste in the fields.

This morning, a heavy downpour was observed in Mandi, which worsened the situation. Inclement weather is posing a serious challenge to the National Highway Authority of India to speed up restoration work because the area is prone to landslides.

Yesterday, the Kiratpur-Manali highway was partially restored between Mandi and Kullu but was blocked soon after due to a massive landslide at Banala.

The NHAI and state disaster management teams have ramped up operations to restore connectivity and clear debris. Machinery and manpower have been deployed to multiple affected points on both highways by the NHAI and the Border Roads Organisation.

The Kiratpur-Manali highway is maintained by the NHAI, while the Manali-Leh highway is maintained by the BRO.   However, officials warn that full restoration may take several more days, especially in areas where entire stretches of road have been washed away and will require rebuilding from scratch.

Authorities have issued a travel advisory, urging all non-essential travel to Kullu, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti to be deferred until conditions improve. Relief camps and emergency medical services have been set up at several points to assist stranded individuals, and helicopter support is also under consideration if the situation escalates.

With the tourism sector disrupted, transportation paralyzed, and farmers in distress, the region faces a multi-layered crisis. Officials are on high alert for any further weather disturbances that may delay restoration efforts.

The coming days will be critical as Himachal Pradesh battles to reconnect some of its most vital and picturesque regions with the rest of the state.