KULLU, Aug. 28 — For the third consecutive day, Kullu-Manali and Lahaul Valley remain cut off from the rest of Himachal Pradesh after torrential rain triggered landslides, flash floods and washouts along two key highways, leaving more than 2,000 vehicles stranded and causing massive disruption to farmers at the peak of the apple and vegetable harvest season.
District officials said cloudbursts on Monday unleashed destruction across long stretches of the Kiratpur-Manali highway, particularly between Mandi and Manali, where portions of road have collapsed or been swept away entirely. The parallel Manali-Leh highway has also suffered extensive damage beyond Manali, especially near Keylong, further isolating residents and tourists in Lahaul, Kullu and Mandi.
“The terrain remains unstable, making it extremely difficult to carry out repairs,” an official said, adding that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) had deployed machinery and manpower to multiple damaged stretches. The Kiratpur-Manali route is under NHAI’s jurisdiction, while the Manali-Leh highway is maintained by BRO.
Authorities estimate that over 2,000 vehicles remain stranded in different locations with no safe alternate routes available. Relief camps and medical aid centers have been set up, and officials are considering helicopter support if conditions worsen. “Non-essential travel to Kullu, Manali and Lahaul-Spiti should be avoided until further notice,” the administration advised in a travel warning.
The swollen Beas river has compounded the crisis, damaging homes, shops and bridges along its banks in Kullu and Manali. Several structures remain in danger of collapse, raising safety concerns for nearby families.
The blockade comes at a critical time for local farmers. With roads severed, apple and vegetable growers in Kullu, Manali and Lahaul have been unable to transport produce to markets. “Every day’s delay means more losses. Apples are rotting in orchards and vegetables have no storage,” a grower from Manali said. Officials noted that the absence of cold storage facilities is worsening the crisis, as perishable crops face the risk of going to waste.
On Wednesday, a brief reopening of the Kiratpur-Manali road between Mandi and Kullu was cut short by a massive landslide at Banala. A fresh spell of heavy rain on Thursday further hampered restoration efforts, making debris clearance risky. Officials have warned that complete restoration could take several days, particularly in areas where entire road sections have been washed away and need to be rebuilt from scratch.
Meanwhile, the tourism sector has been dealt another blow, with hotels reporting cancellations and travelers stranded across the valley. “This is peak season, but now we’re just trying to help tourists return safely,” said a hotel owner in Manali.
With transport paralyzed, farmers in distress, and tourists stuck in some of Himachal Pradesh’s most picturesque locations, authorities remain on high alert for fresh weather disturbances that could delay recovery. The coming days will determine how quickly the region can be reconnected to the rest of the state.
