Himachal Pradesh: Mandi-Kullu National Highway Blocked After Debris Falls On JCB. WATCH

Traffic flow has been momentarily halted owing to a landslide. However, the restoration work is underway. 

Debris falls on a machine during the ongoing restoration work following a landslide. ( Image Source :Twitter/@ANI )

Himachal Pradesh's Mandi-Kullu national highway has been blocked after debris fell on a machine during the ongoing restoration work following a landslide near 6 miles on the Chandigarh-Manali highway in Mandi, news agency ANI reported. Traffic flow has been momentarily halted owing to a landslide. However, the restoration work is underway. 

Following the incident, Soumya Sambasivan, SP, Mandi stated: "The driver of the JCB is safe. The restoration work is underway. The road will be soon opened for use."

#WATCH | Soumya Sambasivan, SP, Mandi says, "The driver of the JCB is safe. The restoration work is underway. The road will be soon opened for use." pic.twitter.com/cfOzqGw4yT

— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2023

Earlier today, ndia Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted various districts of Himachal Pradesh to witness light to moderate rainfall today. "Light to moderate rain with thunder is expected to occur over a few places in Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts today and heavy rainfall is expected in Kullu district," IMD said. 

Destruction Caused By Floods In HP

Rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has caused severe devastation in the hill state, resulting in cloudbursts, landslides, and floods that have claimed 108 lives so far. The estimated cost of the damage is more than Rs. 3,738.28 crore. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow advisory that will be in effect till July 18. 

Himachal Pradesh is the worst-affected state in North India, prompting Union Home Minister Amit Singh to sanction the advance release of the second tranche of the central share of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in the sum of Rs 180.40 crore. 

According to ANI, the union home ministry announced that the Central government has also issued the first tranche of a Central share of Rs 180.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh from SDRF on July 10, 2023, for urgent relief efforts.