Chandigarh-Manali Highway Shut For 3 Days, Hundreds Of Trucks Stranded In Mandi

The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has remained closed for traffic between Pandoh and Aut in Mandi district for the past three days due to heavy rainfall, leaving hundreds of cargo vehicles stranded. The prolonged closure has caused vegetables and perishable goods to rot, leading to mounting losses for transporters.

Truck drivers stuck on the route have urged the administration to restore connectivity at the earliest. Gurvinder Singh, a driver from Amritsar heading to Kullu-Manali, told ANI, "I have been here for four days. The road condition is extremely poor. Despite paying ₹260 as toll tax, no one from the administration is responding. The roads are damaged and under construction-it may take another 2-3 days. Our vegetables and goods are spoiling, causing us heavy losses."

Another driver, Bablu Thakur, also expressed frustration, saying, "We have been stranded here for several days. It has become very difficult to return home. Our families are also suffering damages due to the rains. Rivers are in full spate, and the roads are in terrible condition."

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued multiple weather alerts for Himachal Pradesh. A Red Alert has been sounded for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi for the next two days. A Yellow Alert for heavy rainfall has been issued for August 28 in Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi, and for August 29 in Shimla and Mandi.

Additionally, an Orange Alert has been announced for August 30-31 in Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, while Kullu, Mandi, Kangra, and Shimla will also face Orange Alert conditions on August 31.