Heavy rainfall in the district led to damage to the Kullu-Mandi Highway in Himachal Pradesh, an official reported on Thursday. On the route, hundreds of vehicles were stranded.
“There is a traffic jam stretching to nearly 5-10 kilometres. We have nothing to eat or drink. People are starving here. The snarl should be cleared soon,” a commuter said.
Meanwhile, an official said the Public Works Department was trying to restore the normal flow of traffic at the earliest.
“The road connecting Kullu and Mandi has been damaged. An alternative route via Pandoh has also been damaged. Hence, the movement of traffic is suspended for now,” Sakshi Verma, Superintendent of Police, Kullu, said.
The SP added, “There was heavy rainfall in the district last night. However, the PWD department is working on the restoration of traffic at the earliest. Unless fresh rainfall disrupts the ongoing restoration work, the road, in all likelihood, will be opened for small vehicles by tonight.”
Prior to this, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert, forecasting two days of heavy to extremely rain in Himachal Pradesh beginning on Thursday. Residents were left to suffer the worst effects of the ferocious weather while other areas of the state continued to experience relentless showers. Residents’ problems were made worse by heavy and extensive water logging and tree uprooting, which endangered lives. Shimla has experienced 190 mm of rain in the past 24 hours, according to an official, who also noted that 60 mm of rain fell in the city on Thursday morning.