Flash floods on Manali-Leh, Gramphu-Kaza highways

Tribune News Service

Mandi, July 27

Flash floods on the Manali-Leh and Gramphu-Kaza highways and the Keylong-Udaipur stretch in Lahaul and Spiti district today hampered traffic. As a result, tourists were stranded in these areas for hours.

A massive landslide was reported on the Manali-Leh highway near the Sakash Nullah, which blocked traffic. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) men were engaged in clearing the road. BRO officials said because of the inclement weather it would take some time to restore the highway.

A flash flood caused considerable damage to the Gramphu-Kaza highway that was blocked near Chhota Dara. The road from Tandi to Udaipur is blocked near Kirting, Kamring and Kukum Seri due to the increased water level in nullahs. The Darcha-Shinkhula road is also closed for traffic.

SP, Lahaul and Spiti, Manav Verma said that some tourists were stranded at Jispa due to the closure of the road. They were being shifted to a safe place in upper reaches of the area.

The Lahaul and Spiti administration has issued an advisory to the public to avoid travelling on these roads till Wednesday until these highways are restored.

Due to heavy rains, the Chandigarh-Manali highway was also blocked for some time near the Hanogi temple today.