Hundreds of tourists have been stuck in a jam in Himachal Pradesh, as landslides have blocked traffic on the Chandigarh-Manali national highway near 7 Mile. The traffic blockage, which has been present since Sunday evening, stretched 11 kilometres, and tourists – many of them foreigners – have been stuck for hours.Thousands more are believed to be stranded in the Mandi area, as roads towards Kullu are blocked. About 4000-5000 vehicles were stuck on the Kiratput-Manali four-lane highway near Mandi. Travellers have been left worried as hotel rooms in the area have all been booked.VIDEO | Mandi-Kullu road blocked due to a heavy landslide triggered by continuous rain in Himachal. The road leading to Parashar ahead of Kamand is also closed due to flash flood. People are advised not to stay on the roads adjacent to mountains as there is a high risk of… pic.twitter.com/etKejtHfRq— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 26, 2023Heavy rainfall the cause of landslides in Himachal PradeshHeavy rainfalls in the Mandi area have caused flash floods and landslides in the area, which is the reason for the long traffic blockage.#WATCH | Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradeshs Mandi district leads to landslide on Chandigarh-Manali highway near 7 Mile causes heavy traffic jam(Drone Visuals from Mandi) pic.twitter.com/tmpPZ8aUbM— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023There was a very heavy landslide around midnight at 6 Mile and 7 Mile near Pandoh and huge boulders fell on the road. Heavy machinery is required to remove the boulders,” said Sagar Chander, Additional SI, Manali Police.Himachal Pradesh | Heavy rainfall in Mandi district leads to landslide on Chandigarh-Manali highway near 7 Mile causes heavy traffic jam pic.twitter.com/GfFtAcR9O5— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023According to officials in the Mandi administration, operations to clear the debris have been underway since the morning. Visuals on social media are showing JCB machines and personnel have been deployed. Explosives were being used to blast away rocks blocking the traffic. The officials expect the roads to be opened in seven-eight hours..#WATCH | Himachal Pradesh: Operation underway to clear landslide debris on Chandigarh-Manali highway near 7 Mile in Mandi. https://t.co/OcuKQCVhcD pic.twitter.com/1m92KxiSOh— ANI (@ANI) June 26, 2023Heavy rainfall since Sunday has caused flash floods and landslides around the Himachal state, with occurrences in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba, and Lahaul-Spiti. Two national highways have been blocked, as have 126 roads. Administrative officials have advised tourists in the state to follow government updates on Facebook before venturing outside.
