Mandi, Aug. 31 — The Kiratpur-Manali National Highway between Mandi and Kullu has been closed again due to fresh incidents of shooting stones triggered by heavy rain, officials said Sunday.
The highway, near Banala in Mandi district, had briefly reopened Saturday evening for limited traffic, but authorities shut it again later that night as a precaution amid ongoing bad weather. “The risk of landslides and falling debris remains high,” a district official noted, urging commuters to avoid the stretch until conditions improve.
Early Sunday, an ambulance traveling on the affected stretch skidded off the road near Dwada, injuring one person. Rescue teams reached the scene promptly, and efforts are underway to recover the vehicle using a crane.
Meanwhile, the alternative route via Kamand-Kataula is also blocked by landslides, effectively cutting off direct road connectivity between Mandi and Kullu. Authorities said restoration work on both the main and alternative roads will begin once the weather eases.
The district administration assured that emergency services remain on standby. “All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure public safety. We request people to follow official updates and cooperate with traffic police and disaster response teams,” the official added.
