The Mandi-Kullu stretch of the national highway was blocked since Saturday evening due to heavy rainfall, leaving many vehicles and travellers stranded. The restoration work on the traffic started early Sunday morning, but continuous rock-fall from the hillside hindered the clearance of debris, delaying the operation.
Stranded Passengers
The blockade left numerous passengers stranded overnight. In total, 152 roads in Mandi were blocked on Sunday, including 145 rural routes. Even after traffic movement was restored, the risk of rock-fall remains high, requiring police personnel to be stationed at the spot.
State-Wide Impact
State emergency operation center reported that 196 roads were blocked across the state on Sunday, along with 787 water supply schemes facing disruptions.
Weather Alerts
The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Shimla office issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Kangra and Sirmaur on July 14. A yellow alert was also in place for Mandi, Shimla, and Solan districts. The monsoon activity was weak with light to moderate rain in many areas, expected to continue in the coming days.
Upcoming Rainfall Expectations
MeT department officials forecasted light to moderate rainfall on several days, with spells of heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. A yellow alert for heavy rainfall is issued on July 15 in multiple districts, with alerts continuing on following days in different regions.
Rescue Operation in Mandi
Three tourists from Punjab and a local resident were rescued from a dense forest in Mandi after getting lost during a night trek. Prompt action by the police and SDRF led to their successful rescue and safe return.
For more information, you can refer to official reports on road blockages and weather alerts in the Mandi-Kullu area.
