Landslides block Manali-Leh highway for over eight hours
SHIMLA: Heavy rains triggered landslides in the Lahaul and Spiti district on Friday, leading to traffic blockade in different parts of the state. The strategic ManaliLeh highway was closed for more than eight hours following landslide at Marhi , 30 kilometers uphill from the tourist town of Manali.
More than 2,000 vehicles were left stranded on either side of the blocked road at Chumbak morh in Marhi. The landslide occurred in the wee hours of morning after a boulder fell on the road due to heavy rains.
“Heavy machinery was pressed into service to clear off the boulders. With huge rocks constantly rolling down the hills, it became a difficult task, leading to massive jams,” 38 Border Roads Task Force Commander AK Awasthi said.
The traffic on road was restored at around 1 pm. In the wake of traffic blockade, the district administration stopped vehicles at Gulaba , 25 kilometers from Manali.
There is heavy tourist rush on the highway as scores of people travel to Rohtang and Leh during summers.
Vehicles were also left stranded at Pagal Nullah on the Manali - Leh highway near Sissu, 87 kilometres from Manali.
However, the traffic was restored at 5 pm.
Meanwhile, heavy rains also triggered landslides in several areas in the Chamba district . Heavy rains also damaged the road between Chamba and Tissa.
MORE THAN 2,000 VEHICLES WERE LEFT STRANDED ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN MARHI, BLOCADE WAS CLEARED AROUND 1 PM
MORE RAINS PREDICTED
Weathermen in Shimla have predicted more rains in the next 24 hours. “Heavy to very heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Una, Chamba and Kangra districts,” director, Regional Meteorological Centre, Shimla Manmohan Singh said.
Amb in Una district recorded the highest rainfall with 142 mm rain, while Dalhousie received 104 mm rain.
Widespread rains also led to a decline in the day temperature across the state, with Shimla recording 22 °C.