Flash floods trap 200 tourists in Himachal Pradesh

• Over 200 tourists are stranded in Himachal Pradesh as flash floods and landslides block the Chandigarh-Manali highway near Aut
• Heavy rainfall caused a landslide, obstructing the road with large boulders, orange alert issued for Andhra and Himachal
• Authorities are using explosives to clear the blockage, it is estimated that the closure will last for about seven to eight more hours

In a concerning incident, over 200 tourists found themselves stranded in Himachal Pradesh, a popular summer destination for Indians, as flash floods and landslides caused traffic blockages and disruptions.

The Chandigarh-Manali highway, a vital national highway connecting Mandi and Kullu districts, suffered a blockage near Aut in the Mandi district, leaving commuters stranded for hours. Heavy rainfall in the Mandi district triggered a landslide near 7 Mile on the Chandigarh-Manali highway, resulting in the formation of large boulders that obstructed the road.

Visuals depict long queues of vehicles with commuters waiting patiently for the highway to reopen. Flash floods were reported in Khotinallah near Aut on the Pandoh-Kullu stretches due to the heavy downpour, worsening the traffic situation.

One stranded commuter, Prashant, shared the difficulties faced by those stuck near Aut, stating that they had been waiting since the previous evening as the road closure led to a significant traffic jam. Authorities from the Mandi administration assured that restoration work was already underway. They were employing explosives to blast the heavy boulders and clear the roads on the affected stretch.

Officials estimated that the closure of National Highway-21 would last approximately seven to eight more hours, after which it is expected to reopen for traffic. In the meantime, commuters have been advised to avoid traveling towards Mandi until the roadblock is resolved.

Furthermore, an orange alert was issued for Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, indicating the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated places on June 25 and 26. This added to the concerns regarding the safety and movement of people in the affected regions.