Rain triggers landslides, disrupts traffic in Himachal
SHIMLA: Heavy rain in last 24 hours triggered landslides at several areas in Himachal Pradesh and disrupted traffic on Monday.
The Manali-leh highway was damaged at Zingzingbar, 170km from Manali.
Traffic was blocked in wee hours after flash flooding in a nullah.
Tourist vehicles were stuck on both sides of the Manali-leh highway. The Border Road Organisation (BRO) pressed its machinery into service to throw open the road.
“It rained after a long time and rise in temperature escalated glacial-melting. This resulted in more water in nullahs,” said BRO’S 38 Task Force Commander AK Awasthi, adding that traffic was restored in afternoon.
Landslide at Rangri village in Manali also led to traffic blockade on Manali-kullu road. The road was opened for traffic on Monday afternoon.
Water level rose at the Gui Nullah.
Three houses and a cow shed were damaged due to rain at the Solan district. Three kuccha houses were damaged in Chamba that received 46.5mm of rain.
“As many as 56 lateral roads across 12 districts were damaged due to rain and were thrown open for traffic on Monday evening,” said a revenue official.
The annual pilgrimage to Shrikhand was also halted due to landslide on Monday.
LANDSLIDE ON VAISHNO DEVI TRACK, YATRA REMAINS UNAFFECTED
JAMMU :A landslide struck Himkoti Marg, a track leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine, 400 metres from Ardhkuwari in Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, forcing its closure, Katra station house officer inspector Surinderpal Singh said. He said the track has been closed for battery car service and pilgrims.
However, no loss of life or injuries were reported in the landslide, Singh said.
However, the yatra remains unaffected.