Himachal rain: 800 cars trapped at Pandoh as Kullu-Mandi route is once again shut

On Tuesday, the Kullu-Mandi national route was once again blocked close to Pandoh Dam, trapping around 800 cars. Following the recent landslides that devastated the major route close to the Pandoh dam in Mandi, officials claim the road has been closed.

For the second occasion this month, the roadway has been closed. The Kullu-Mandi highway was previously closed because between August 13 and August 21 a section of the road collapsed near Pandoh.

The only other route via Kandi-Kataula to the outer world is active. However, it is a very little road, and only utilitarian vehicles may go across it. Currently, the route is used to transport all vital supplies like LPG and trucks carrying gasoline for vehicles. Sanjay Thakur, a native of Kullu, said that if the national highway was open, it would normally take one hour to go from Mandi to Kullu. However, the alternative journey from Kandi to Kataula takes anything from five to seven hours. And only emergency services are now permitted to use this route. Kullu-Manali shouldn’t be visited by tourists.

Tourism, agriculture, and horticulture are all expected to suffer as a result of the road’s closure. The whole economy of the two districts of Lahaul & Spiti and Kullu and Manali, according to Anup Thakur, president of Kullu-Manali Prayatan Vikas Mandal, “has come to a standstill.” Even adventure sports in Kullu-Manali have been severely affected, with rafting, climbing, cycling, and hiking all being discontinued.