Shimla, September 8 — Weeks after torrential rains and landslides battered Himachal Pradesh, several interior villages remain cut off, with key roads yet to reopen, officials said Monday.
The Public Works Department reported that at least 200 roads are still blocked across the state, many in Shimla, Kullu, and Mandi districts. Restoration work is ongoing, but officials warned it may take more time due to recurring landslides and difficult terrain. “Our teams are working round the clock, but fresh slips slow down progress,” a PWD engineer said.
Residents in cut-off villages are struggling to access medical help and daily essentials. Relief supplies are being sent through local administration, but many families say they have to walk long stretches to collect provisions. “It feels like we are stranded in another world. Roads are our lifeline, and without them, everything has stopped,” said Ramesh Kumar, a resident of interior Kullu.
Tourism, the backbone of the state’s economy, is also taking a hit. Hoteliers in Manali and Shimla say footfall is gradually returning, but uncertainty over road conditions is keeping many visitors away. “The season is usually brisk in September, but bookings are down by nearly 40%,” said Anjali Thakur, who runs a guesthouse near Shimla.
The state government has sought additional central assistance for road and infrastructure repair. Officials estimate damages of several hundred crores due to the monsoon havoc. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said priority is being given to reconnect villages and restore essential services.
Despite the challenges, locals say they remain hopeful that roads will be reopened soon, allowing them to resume normal life before winter sets in.
