175 tourists stranded in Lahaul & Spiti

Traffic movement on Manali-Leh highway restored; KalkaShimla highway cleared of debris

SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: Traffic movement was restored on the Manali-Leh national highway (NH-03) that was blocked due to multiple landslides since Tuesday on Thursday evening, officials said.

Lahaul and Spiti deputy commissioner Neeraj Kumar said an alternative route was thrown open to light motor vehicles along the left bank of Bhaga river via Tandi-Peukar, but only commuters headed for Leh were allowed on it.

“Now, the highway has been opened for heavy traffic to and fro,” said Kumar.

The deputy commissioner also informed about 175 tourists, including 60 women and 16 children, are stranded in Pattan valley of Udaipur.

He said the Pangi-Killar road is closed and is not expected to reopen by Friday.

We have sought helicopter support for evacuation, he said.

He said though no loss of life has been reported in the incident that occurred near Shansha village, but traffic on the state highway was stalled owing to the damage.

Seven people were killed and three are still missing after a cloudburst flooded the Tozing Nullah near Keylong on Tuesday night. The gushing waters had swept away a camp for labourers and two vehicles. The search for the missing is on.

Meanwhile, the Kalka-Shimla highway that was blocked due to landslide has been cleared for the traffic.

Overall, 94 roads are still closed across the state. Besides, 71 water supply schemes have also been affected.

Retaining wall collapses near CM’s residence

A retaining wall in the CM’s residence compound in Shimla collapsed on Thursday morning, prompting the authorities to vacate three nearby buildings.

There are reports of flashfloods at Hilutwan in Pangi and Gumma in Rohru subdivision. Fields were washed away in Hilutwan, while four vehicles and a bridge were damaged in Gumma. No loss of life was reported.

Thirteen houses were damaged at Tarala village in Ani subdivision of Kullu district after a mudslide. Ani SDM Kuldeep Singh Patial said that residents have been shifted to a relief camp set up at the local school.