National Desk: Heavy rainfall and massive landslides in Himachal Pradesh have caused severe destruction to the four-lane highway connecting Mandi to Kullu. This natural disaster has posed a major challenge for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), with repair and reconstruction proving extremely difficult. Within just two years, the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane has almost collapsed due to continuous rains, landslides, and flooding in the Beas River.
From Pandoh to Manali, large stretches of the four-lane have been completely washed away, requiring reconstruction from scratch. The situation is so critical that floodwaters from the Beas are now flowing directly through the Dohlunala Raison toll plaza. Initial estimates suggest that NHAI has suffered losses exceeding ₹1,000 crore—four times higher than the damages recorded during the 2023 disaster. The flooding has wiped out sections of the Kullu-Manali four-lane at six different points.
Roads Swept Away in Beas Floods
Rising waters of the Beas River have swallowed major stretches of road in Raison, Bindr Dhank, 15 Mile, and even near Manali’s luxury bus stand. The scale of destruction is such that transporting heavy machinery to these damaged sites has itself become a challenge. Locals and tourists are facing immense hardships, with road connectivity completely disrupted in several areas. Traffic remains suspended, and essential supplies are struggling to reach stranded residents.
Repair Work on a War Footing
Authorities are working around the clock to provide relief. NHAI has launched repair operations at a war footing. More than 30 machines have been deployed along the Pandoh-Takoli stretch, while 20 excavators (Poklen machines) are operating on the Kullu-Manali section. In Mandi’s Dawara and Jhalogi areas, where the Beas has eroded away large chunks of the road, repair has begun as soon as water levels receded, with rock-cutting work underway.
When Will Relief Arrive?
NHAI’s Project Director, Varun Chari, confirmed that senior officials are on-site and restoration is being carried out swiftly. However, hundreds of vehicles and passengers have remained stranded between Pandoh and Aut for the last two days. If weather conditions improve, officials expect temporary restoration by Thursday afternoon, which could finally bring relief to those stuck.
Loss of ₹550 Crore in Just Three Days
Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that the state has suffered massive losses due to incessant rains. The overall damage is pegged at around ₹1,400 crore, with ₹550 crore recorded in just the past three days. Several bridges and roads have been swept away, but the government is actively working on the ground to support affected communities.
310 Lives Lost So Far
This monsoon season has already claimed 310 lives across Himachal Pradesh due to rain-related disasters. As of Tuesday evening, 793 roads remained blocked. The Meteorological Department has issued a Yellow Alert for rainfall in multiple districts today as well, warning of further disruptions.
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