Chandigarh-Manali highway blocked

Tribune News Service

Mandi, September 24

The Chandigarh-Manali highway was closed for traffic since Sunday evening at Dwada in Mandi district as 300-meter stretch of the road was submerged in the Beas water.

There has been no respite from heavy rain, which lashed the Mandi and Kullu region since Saturday.

The water level of the Beas is increasing rapidly, which has created havoc in Kullu district.The dam authorities of Larji and Pandoh have opened its flood gates to flush out water from its reservoirs as heavy silt is deposited in it. This process will continue till 4 pm on Tuesday.

Due to the flushing of water from power projects dams, the water level of the Beas was increasing, which forced the district administration of Mandi to halt traffic movement on the Chandigarh-Manali highway via Dwada in view of public safety, till the water receded.

Rugved Thakur, Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, has raised high alert in the district and asked the people and tourists to avoid venturing near the river for the next three days, as the Beas and its tributaries were in spate these days.

He said the power project authorities had informed the district administration that due to the flashflood, the silt had deposited in the Beas reservoirs, which required water flushing. The authorities were flushing out water frequently. The DC said at Barot, 90 persons were stranded for hours because of a massive landside, which blocked the road. However, later vehicular movement was restored.

At Jhiri on the Chandigarh-Manali highway, a massive landslide was reported, which blocked the road.

The DC said, “No loss of life has been reported in Mandi district and we are keeping close vigil on the situation. Those living in downstream areas such as Pandoh Aut, Kandapatan and Mandi are advised to stay away from water bodies for the next few days to avoid any untoward incident.”

He said the traffic between Mandi and Kullu had been diverted via Katola until the traffic was closed via the Chandigarh-Manali highway.

According to sources, a large number of tourists were stated to be stranded in the Kullu-Manali area due to the disconnection of road connectivity at several places.

Rain fury

• The dam authorities of Larji and Pandoh have opened its flood gates to flush out water from its reservoirs as heavy silt is deposited in it. This process will continue till 4 pm on Tuesday.
• Due to the flushing of water from power projects dams, the water level of the Beas is increasing, which forced the district administration of Mandi to halt traffic movement on the Chandigarh-Manali highway via Dwada in view of public safety, till the water receded.