Stranded Travelers on Chandigarh-Manali National Highway After Landslide
Landslides Occur along Mandi-Manali Road, Leaving Tourists Stranded Overnight on the Highway
The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has once again been blocked due to a landslide in Mandi district, leaving several travelers stranded since early morning on August 8, 2025.
According to reports, a man from Uttar Pradesh, who was traveling to Manali for a vacation, has been stuck since 4 am. Another businessman from Ambala, who was traveling to Kullu, had his truck stopped around 7:30 pm due to a road blockage. Some people have had to spend the night in their vehicles due to the road closure.
The road blockage has also affected travelers going to and from Kullu and Manali, with people stranded for over 12 hours. The local administration is working towards opening a single lane for lighter vehicles, but the work to clear the road and restore traffic movement could take a day.
The situation is not unique to this incident. On August 5, 2025, multiple landslides blocked the highway, stranding travelers overnight. The local administration managed to open a single lane for lighter vehicles temporarily.
The ongoing monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has resulted in significant losses. The cumulative loss in the state is over Rs 1.85 lakh. The loss to private property is estimated at Rs 97,129.91 lakh, while the loss to public property is at Rs 63,341.15 lakh.
The rescue operations were led by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF). Over 400 pilgrims have been rescued from the Kinnaur Kailash trek in Himachal Pradesh. However, two makeshift bridges on the trek route were washed away by cloudbursts.
The local Met office has issued a yellow warning for heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in several districts on Saturday and Sunday. An orange alert is in place for isolated areas from Monday to Thursday, indicating ongoing weather-related challenges. As of now, there is no specific estimated time for the clearance of the blockage. The local administration and emergency services are actively involved in managing the situation.
Despite the challenges, the spirit of resilience remains high among the stranded travelers. The Eco Task Force provided assistance to stranded passengers, accommodating them at an Army camp until the road was cleared. Another businessman expects the road to clear by 3 pm.
Traffic police have been deployed to restrict vehicles from moving towards Manali, ensuring the safety of those already stranded. The hope remains that the situation will improve soon, and travelers will be able to continue their journeys.
- The ongoing monsoon weather in Himachal Pradesh has led to multiple car-accidents on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, with several travelers getting stranded due to landslides.
- General-news reports indicate that the local administration is working to clear the road in time to avoid further car-accidents, but the weather forecast predicts more heavy rains and road blockages over the next few days.
