Manali, Sept 16: The Kiratpur-Manali highway, one of the main arteries connecting Kullu and Manali in Himachal Pradesh, was reopened temporarily for one-way traffic after being shut for 21 days due to flood damage from the Beas river.
Several stretches of the highway had been washed away, including locations like Raison, Dohlunala, 14 Mile, 17 Mile, Bindu Dhank, Kalath, and Aloo Ground. The stretch from Patlikuhal to Naggar has also been restored, improving connectivity for residents and emergency services.
However, the state still faces extensive disruptions: 652 roads are blocked across Himachal Pradesh. Mandi district is particularly hard hit, with 313 roads closed, especially in Dharampur, Seraj, and Sarkaghat areas. Additionally, multiple landslides have closed the Chandigarh-Manali highway at Jogini Mod and Banala in Mandi. Infrastructure damage includes power outages—783 transformers out of commission—and 243 water supply schemes yet to be restored.
