Mandi. The monsoon continues to hit the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh. This morning, a massive landslide occurred once again near the Kainchi turn of Pandoh on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway four-lane, in which a large amount of debris fell on the road from the hill.
Meanwhile, a car going towards Manali got trapped under the debris. The car driver was injured in the accident and the vehicle was badly damaged. It was fortunate that there was no other passenger in the vehicle, due to which a major accident was averted.
Due to the landslide, the movement of vehicles on the Chandigarh-Manali four-lane has completely stopped. Hundreds of vehicles are stranded on both sides of the highway. Mandi Police and NHAI team are present on the spot, but relief work is being hampered due to incessant rain. The work of restoring the road has not started, as there is still a danger of debris falling from the hill.
Continuous rain has become a problem
It has been raining continuously for the last five days in Mandi district. This has not only affected the stability of the mountains, but cases of landslides and road collapse are coming up at many places. At present, 171 roads of the district are completely obstructed, due to which the connectivity of rural areas has also been cut off.
Due to the impact of natural disasters, more than 80 electric transformers are closed in Mandi, due to which darkness has spread in many areas. Apart from this, 70 drinking water schemes are also stalled. Drinking water supply has been completely disrupted in Mandi city for the last two days, due to which the water crisis has deepened. Efforts are being made by the Municipal Council and Jal Shakti Department to provide water to the people through alternative arrangements, but the rain has also limited these efforts.
The Mandi Police has appealed to the passengers going towards Chandigarh-Manali to use alternative routes and not to move towards this route without reason. The local administration has said that it will not be possible to restore this four-lane until the weather clears and the debris is completely removed. Also, people have been instructed to remain alert in landslide-prone areas.
Due to this natural disaster, life in Mandi city and surrounding rural areas has become chaotic. On the one hand, while people are struggling with the shortage of electricity and water, on the other hand, there is a shortage of essential goods in the markets as well. The supply of things like vegetables and milk has been affected. School-going children, the elderly and sick people are facing a lot of difficulties in meeting their daily needs.
The administration is keeping an eye
The Mandi district administration and the Disaster Management Authority are constantly monitoring the situation. Departmental teams are engaged on a war footing to restore road and drinking water supply, but the weather is taking a toll on their speed. The administration has appealed to the people to maintain patience and immediately contact the local authorities in case of any emergency.
