Dharamsala, June 20: Vehicular movement on the vital Dharamsala-Kangra National Highway came to a standstill Friday morning after a landslide, triggered by overnight and continuing rains, blocked the route near Sakoh village. The disruption has impacted hundreds of commuters and tourists, especially those arriving from Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana.
The landslide, reported approximately 2.5 km from Sakoh, has blocked access for four-wheelers, leading to major traffic snarls amid persistent rainfall. While no injuries or casualties have been reported, delays were widespread, with visibility and road conditions worsened by ongoing showers.
“Traffic from Dharamsala to Kangra has been rerouted through Sheela road via Mataur town,” said an official from the district administration, urging the public to avoid the affected stretch until the road is cleared.
Vivek Sandhu, Assistant Executive Engineer with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), confirmed that equipment had been sent to the site and that restoration work was being launched urgently. “We have dispatched JCB machines to clear the debris. If weather conditions allow, we hope to reopen the road for traffic by this afternoon,” he said.
The Himachal Pradesh Meteorological Department has forecast continued rainfall in parts of Kangra district over the next 24 hours, raising concerns of further landslides in the region’s vulnerable stretches. Officials are keeping a close watch on McLeodganj road, where repairs have been ongoing and risks remain high.
The Public Works Department and the district administration said all necessary resources have been deployed for road clearance and to ensure commuter safety. An official advisory remains in place warning against travel on the blocked highway segment until further notice.
