Section of Himachal Pradesh Road Shut Down Due to Cloudburst and Flash Flood

Shimla/Manali:

A section of National Highway-3 in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district has been closed to vehicular traffic due to a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst, police stated on Thursday.

No casualties have been reported from the incident, which occurred late Wednesday night.

Officials noted that the affected stretch lies between Dhundi and Palchan Bridge on NH-3, also known as the Leh-Manali Road. The cloudburst took place at Anjani Mahadev nullah in the Manali area.

Vehicles traveling to Manali from Lahaul and Spiti via the north portal of the Atal Tunnel have been redirected towards Rohtang, according to an advisory issued by the Lahaul and Spiti police on Thursday.

Commuters were advised to travel only if necessary, drive cautiously, and remain alert to potential dangers along the route.

A total of 15 roads, including 12 in Mandi, two in Kinnaur, and one in Kangra district, have been closed for vehicular traffic. Additionally, 62 transformers were disrupted in the state on Wednesday night, according to the state emergency operation centre.

There have been unconfirmed reports of damage to a power project and several houses, with officials currently assessing the situation.

The local Meteorological office issued a ‘yellow’ alert on Wednesday, warning of heavy rain in isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh for the next four days, until July 28. The alert highlighted potential damage to plantations, standing crops, vulnerable structures, and ‘kutcha’ houses, along with the risk of waterlogging in low-lying areas.

Since the onset of the monsoon on June 27, a total of 49 people have died in rain-related incidents in the state, which has incurred losses of approximately Rs 389 crore, according to the emergency operation centre.