Highways Severed as Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valley Remain Cut Off for Second Day; Over 2,000 Vehicles Stranded

The swelling Beas River has left several buildings on the verge of collapse, raising fears of further destruction if the weather worsens again.

For the second consecutive day, the popular tourist destinations of Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valley remain completely cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh after severe damage to the Kiratpur–Manali National Highway and the Manali–Leh Highway. The disruption has paralyzed transport and deeply affected thousands of residents, tourists, and farmers in the region.

Officials reported that heavy rains and flash floods washed away multiple stretches of the Kiratpur–Manali highway, particularly between Mandi and Manali. In some areas, large sections of the road have been destroyed, posing a major challenge for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to begin repair works.

The Manali–Leh highway, a critical lifeline connecting Lahaul-Spiti with Leh-Ladakh, also remains inaccessible since yesterday, with severe damage reported between Manali and Keylong. Authorities confirmed that the dual blockages have left thousands of travelers and residents stranded across Kullu-Manali, Lahaul, and Mandi. An estimated 2,000 vehicles are currently stuck at various points.

On Monday, torrential rainfall swelled the Beas River, wreaking havoc in Kullu-Manali. Several homes, shops, and bridges were damaged, while many buildings now stand precariously close to collapse, heightening concerns of further destruction if conditions deteriorate.

The crisis has also hit the region’s horticulture and farming sectors hard. With the apple harvest at its peak, local growers in Kullu-Manali are facing huge losses as transport routes remain blocked. Without access to markets, the timely movement of produce has become impossible, putting the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on orchards at risk.

“The timing could not have been worse,” said a local apple farmer. “Our apples are ready for harvest, but we have no way to transport them. If the roads aren’t cleared soon, we could lose the entire crop.”

In some relief, weather conditions improved today, raising hopes for faster restoration efforts. With clearer skies over Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti, officials expect to accelerate road clearance and repair work in the hardest-hit stretches. Teams from NHAI and the State Disaster Management Authority are already on the ground, working to reconnect the region.

However, authorities cautioned that full restoration of highway connectivity may take several more days, especially in stretches where roads have been completely washed away.

Residents and tourists have been advised to avoid travel to the affected areas until further notice. Relief camps and emergency services have been set up at multiple locations to support those stranded, while officials continue to monitor the situation closely for any fresh weather-related disruptions.