Chandigarh-Manali highway blocked due to landslide

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 5

The Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked for traffic movement on Saturday morning due to a massive landslide near Dwada in Mandi.

A large number of vehicles got stuck on both sides of the road. These were either coming to Mandi from Kullu side or going to Kullu from Mandi side. A majority of the commuters walked back to either Kullu or Mandi.

Many landslides were reported in the area since morning. A huge portion of a hilltop came down on the road and the land continued to slide, posing a threat to the workforce of the district administration and the National Highways Authority of India who were trying to restore the highway.

Additional District Magistrate, Mandi, Shrawan Manta said the workforce and the machinery had been engaged to clear the road but land kept sliding.

“It is difficult to clear debris from the road at Dwada, which is prone to landslides, at night. Big boulders have been falling down on the road. However, the highway is expected to be restored for traffic movement by Sunday afternoon,” he said.

“We have diverted the traffic via Kataula between Mandi and Kullu district for the movement of light vehicles until the Chandigarh-Manali highway is restored for traffic movement. Adequate police force has been deployed at Dwada to monitor the situation,” he added. People are advised to avoid travelling on the Chandigarh-Manali highway till it it is restored for traffic movement.