Chandigarh-Manali highway blocked in Mandi due to landslide

Dipender Manta

Tribune News Service

Mandi, August 1

Chandigarh-Manali highway was blocked at Jhiri in Mandi district due to a massive landslide on Saturday evening.

A large number of vehicles have been stuck on both sides at Jhiri. These vehicles were either going to Kullu-Manali from Mandi or coming to Mandi from the Kullu side.

In last two days, incessant rains have lashed Mandi and Kullu districts, making the highway prone to landslides. Four-laning of the highway is under way, which is a major cause of landslides during the rainy season.

The district administration Mandi has deployed its workforce and machinery in the region to clear the road but it will take time to restore it.

In view of public safety, traffic movement has been halted on this road till Sunday morning and traffic has been diverted for light vehicles via Katola between Mandi and Kullu.   

Mandi SP Gurdev Chand Sharma said due to massive landslide at Jhiri, the Chandigarh-Manali highway has been blocked for traffic movement till Sunday morning.

Police have been deployed from the Mandi side to divert the traffic via Katola between Mandi and Kullu.