Mandi (National Times): The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-3) has been closed once again following a fresh landslide near Char Meel in Mandi district, causing major disruptions for travelers and residents alike.
The highway had only reopened yesterday after remaining blocked for 28 hours due to a previous landslide in the region. However, a fresh landslide early this morning forced authorities to shut the road down once again, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the blockage.
Officials from the Mandi district administration confirmed that the landslide occurred due to continuous rainfall and loosened soil in the hilly terrain. No casualties have been reported so far.
“Restoration work had been completed just yesterday, and traffic movement had resumed late evening. Unfortunately, the area witnessed another landslide early today, which has forced us to halt all vehicular movement for safety reasons,” said a local police official.
Rescue teams and personnel from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have been deployed to the site to assess the damage and clear the debris. Heavy machinery is being used to expedite the restoration process, though officials have not provided a specific timeline for when the highway will reopen.
Authorities have advised travelers to avoid the route until further notice and use alternate roads, where possible. The frequent closure of this key highway, which connects Himachal Pradesh’s popular tourist destinations, including Kullu and Manali, to Chandigarh, has not only affected commuters but also raised concerns among local businesses and the tourism sector.
With more rain forecast in the coming days, district officials have urged caution and asked residents in vulnerable areas to stay alert.
