Monsoon mayhem continues in HP, landslides cause traffic disruptions
SHIMLA/DHARAMSHALA: Heavy rains continue to wreak havoc in Himachal Pradesh as several highways were blocked and properties damaged due to landslides.
Tourists and local travellers had a harrowing time as Chandigarh-Manali national highway remained blocked for over 12 hours, leading to a long queue of vehicles on both sides of the road, after a massive landslide on Friday night.
The traffic on the highways was restored by Saturday afternoon.
In another incident, traffic remained disrupted at Sunder Nagar in Mandi, after the district administration blocked the road, as precautionary measure against landslides. The travellers had to spend the entire night in buses and private vehicles. It was reported that some patients in the ambulances were also stuck in the traffic jam, they were transferred on stretchers to the other side of the road which was operational.
The continuous rains also triggered landslides at Banala in Mandi district and on the highway connecting Pathankot with Chamba.
A truck parked on the highway was also buried in the debris, due to landslide. However, no loss of life was reported. A massive landslide had occurred on the same spot last week as well. The villagers blame the incessant drilling of the hill for road construction, for the frequent landslides.
The road connecting the tourist destination Prashar lake in Mandi district was also blocked for traffic, after a stretch was washed away due to flashflood in Bagi Nullah in Drang area. The restoration work has been started and it may take several days to repair the road, said an official.
PROPERTY DAMAGED DUE TO FLASHFLOODS
Several houses and watermills were also damaged in the flashflood. Incessant rains since Friday have left a trail of destruction in several part of the state.
Three cars were buried in Baijnath area of Kangra district, after a retaining wall collapsed due to heavy rains. A trailer carrying heavy machinery was stuck after the road caved in, blocking on national highway 5, which connects Ferozepur in Punjab with Shikipkila pass on India China border. The blockade has disrupted traffic on the road stretch between Chaura and Badha, 35 km ahead of the Rampur town.The trailer was toed back and no loss of life was reported, informed Rampur sub-divisional magistrate Narender Chauhan.