A portion of National Highway-3 has been shut down for vehicular traffic because of a flash flood caused by a cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, as reported by police. The incident occurred on Wednesday. As per officials, the affected stretch is located between Dhuni and Palchan Bridge of NH-3, also known as Leh-Manali Road. No fatality has been reported from the place till now. The exact location for the cloudburst has been identified at Anjani Mahadev nullah in the Manali area.
The state has received significant rainfall since the onset of the monsoon on June 27. A report from the emergency operation states that around 49 casualties and around Rs 389 crore in damages have affected the state.
Traffic Advisory issued for Manali:
A traffic advisory has been issued for the vehicles traveling to Manali from Lahaul and Spiti through the north portal of the Atal Tunnel are being diverted towards Rohtang. Commuters are advised to remain alert, drive with utmost care, and travel only if necessary. Potential hazard alerts have also been issued along the route.
15 roads have been shut down in Mandi, Kangra, and Kinnaur district
Around 15 roads along with highways have been closed to vehicular traffic. The roads that have been shut down include 12 in Mandi, two in Kinnaur, and one in the Kangra district. As per the state emergency operation center, 62 transformers were affected on Wednesday night.
Yellow alert issued for heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh
Isolated areas of Himachal Pradesh have been put on yellow alert for heavy rainfall for the next couple of days till July 28. The local meteorological department has also warned that heavy rainfall can damage standing crops, plantations, kutcha houses, and vulnerable structures. There is also a high chance of waterlogging in low-lying areas because of strong winds.
(With PTI inputs)