Relentless Rain in Himachal Pradesh: Landslides Leave 2,000 Vehicles Stranded in Mandi and Kullu

Himachal Pradesh continues to reel under heavy rainfall, triggering widespread landslides that have blocked roads, disrupted essential services, and displaced families in several areas of Mandi district.

The situation remains grave as more than 257 roads are currently unfit for traffic, cutting off major regions and creating significant logistical challenges.

The Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway—an arterial route linking Kullu-Manali with Lahaul-Spiti and Leh-Ladakh—remained blocked for the second consecutive day due to multiple landslides between Mandi and Banala. As a result, over 2,000 vehicles are stranded in Mandi and Kullu, leaving commuters and tourists facing mounting difficulties amid deteriorating weather. The alternative Katoula route was also closed after another landslide, leaving no immediate connectivity between Mandi and Kullu and severely impacting transport across the region.

Among the worst hit are vegetable growers in Lahaul and Spiti, whose produce is now rotting in fields with no access to markets. This blockade has not only jeopardized their seasonal income but also threatens vegetable supplies to other parts of the state and country.

In a separate incident on Monday evening, panic spread in the Paddal Gurdwara area under Mandi Municipal Corporation when a rockfall damaged two houses. Fortunately, residents escaped in time, and no injuries were reported. Municipal Commissioner Rohit Rathour said the rocks fell from a steep and unstable slope behind the colony. “No one was hurt in the incident. However, as a precaution, the area has been evacuated as it is now considered vulnerable to further landslides,” he said.

The two affected families have been shifted to safe housing arranged by the administration, while several other residents have voluntarily vacated their homes and taken shelter with relatives in Mandi town, fearing further rockfalls.

In Kullu’s Manali area, the local administration on Tuesday successfully rescued two people who were trapped after their Gypsy vehicle was caught in a landslide. While several incidents of landslides have been reported across the district, no casualties have been confirmed so far, offering some relief amid the widespread disruption.

Commissioner Rathour assured that the district administration is closely monitoring the situation, with emergency teams on alert for rapid response. Authorities have urged residents to stay away from vulnerable slopes and immediately report any signs of ground movement or soil instability.

These events underscore the increasing vulnerability of hillside settlements in Mandi during the monsoon season, when landslides and rockfalls have become a recurring hazard. With forecasts predicting continued heavy rainfall in the coming days, the risk of further disasters looms large.

Meanwhile, restoration work on roads, power lines, and water supply systems is underway, though officials have warned that progress will remain slow until weather conditions stabilize. The administration has appealed to the public to remain cautious and strictly follow all safety advisories.