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Highways Damaged, Life Comes to a Standstill in Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valley
Shimla, Updated At : 11:44 PM Aug 29, 2025 IST
For the third consecutive day, Kullu-Manali and the Lahaul Valley remain cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh as the Kirtpur–Manali and Manali–Leh highways struggle with massive destruction caused by torrential rains. The extensive damage to these vital lifelines has brought normal life to a halt, leaving large numbers of tourists and locals stranded, while also delivering a severe blow to the region’s horticulture- and agriculture-based economy.
Authorities managed to reopen an alternative route between Mandi and Kullu via Kamand on Thursday for light vehicles, but major highways remain blocked.
According to district officials, a cloudburst and flash floods on Monday triggered large-scale landslides and erosion along several stretches of the Kiratpur–Manali highway, particularly between Mandi and Manali. In many sections, the road has either collapsed or been completely washed away, leaving wide gaps that the NHAI is struggling to fill amid unstable terrain and logistical hurdles.
The parallel Manali–Leh highway, a crucial link connecting Himachal Pradesh to Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh, has also suffered heavy damage beyond Manali, especially toward Keylong. The destruction has stranded thousands of residents, tourists, and transporters across Lahaul, Kullu, Manali, and Mandi.
Officials estimate that more than 2,000 vehicles remain stuck at different points due to roadblocks. With alternate routes unsafe or inaccessible, traffic across the region is virtually paralyzed.
The situation has been worsened by the swelling Beas River, which earlier this week damaged houses, shops, and bridges in parts of Kullu and Manali. Several riverside buildings are reportedly on the verge of collapse, raising fresh safety concerns as rescue and evacuation efforts continue.
The disruption comes at the peak of the apple and vegetable harvest season, inflicting heavy losses on local farmers. Apple growers in Kullu and Manali, as well as vegetable cultivators in the Lahaul Valley, are unable to transport their produce to markets. With no access to cold storage and the highly perishable nature of the crop, tonnes of apples and vegetables are at risk of rotting.
Persistent bad weather and the risk of fresh landslides are making it difficult for NHAI to speed up restoration work. While a section of the Kiratpur–Manali highway between Mandi and Kullu was partially reopened on Wednesday, it was soon blocked again by a massive landslide at Banala. The road was cleared today, but another heavily damaged stretch near Pandoh’s Kaichi Mor has cut off traffic between Mandi and Kullu once more.
NHAI and state disaster management teams have intensified their operations to clear debris and restore connectivity. Heavy machinery and manpower have been deployed at multiple affected sites along both highways. However, officials cautioned that full restoration may take several more days, especially in sections where entire portions of the road have been washed away and will need to be rebuilt from scratch.
Travel advisories have been issued, urging people to postpone all non-essential trips to Kullu, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti until conditions improve. Relief camps and emergency medical services have been set up for those stranded, and officials said helicopter assistance is being considered if the situation worsens further.
