Dharamsala's road connectivity cut off, heavy rain predicted for next 24 hours

Dharamsala, August 14, 2023: The monsoon has wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, particularly in the Kangra district. Continuous rainfall over the past two days has caused all the river drains in the district to overflow.

In response to the warning issued by the meteorological department, District Magistrate Nipun Jindal ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the district on Monday. This decision was made due to the severe impact of the monsoon on the region. The closure of the Pathankot - Mandi National Highway, which serves as a vital lifeline for the district, has completely cut off the connection between Kangra and Pathankot. The Chakki bridge, a crucial route, had already been closed due to damage to two pillars. As a result, vehicles were being rerouted through Badroha to reach Pathankot. However, this alternative route has also been rendered impassable due to the breakdown of another bridge, severing the road link between Dharamsala and Pathankot. Additionally, landslides at the 32-mile spot of this highway have forced vehicles to be diverted onto link roads, which have also been closed due to landslides.

The closure of major highways extends beyond the Kangra district. The Dharamsala to Shimla and Chandigarh National Highways have also been shut down due to landslides from Kangra to RaniTal. Furthermore, the Dharamshala-Gaggal state highway has been closed off following a significant landslide in Sakoh. Traffic on the Dharamsala-Palampur, Palampur-Hamirpur, and Palampur-Mandi main roads has also come to a standstill.

The government has deployed machinery to expedite the reopening of major routes, while also assessing the extent of the damage caused by the monsoon.