CHANDIGARH: The Manali-Leh National Highway was reopened to traffic on Tuesday night after being blocked by flash floods at Jispa in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district. Around 1,000 vehicles stranded on the highway for several hours were cleared.
Meanwhile, a woman from Nalagarh died in an accident near Aut in Mandi district after being struck by a boulder that rolled down a hillside amid continuous heavy rainfall.
Sources said rescue teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), assisted by the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) of Lahaul-Spiti and other agencies, reopened the highway after an extensive rescue and restoration operation.
They swiftly reached the affected area and safely evacuated all stranded travellers. Long queues of tourist vehicles, trucks and other vehicles had formed on both sides of the highway.
Following overnight efforts, the highway was restored for traffic by the BRO's 70 RCC unit, which worked through the night with three machines and deployed additional personnel to ensure the smooth movement of traffic and provide immediate assistance to commuters.
After several hours of clearance work, the road was partially reopened, allowing stranded vehicles to pass in phases.
The Manali-Leh Highway was closed after a flash flood at Jispa, while several villages became inaccessible following a flash flood in Jhalma nallah. Locals said melting snow on the mountain peaks had caused water levels in the Jhalma nallah to rise.
Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul-Spiti Kiran Bhadana said nearly 1,000 vehicles were evacuated from the affected stretch during the rescue operation and no casualties were reported.
Locals said the road to the district headquarters, Keylong, was also blocked by debris deposited by the floodwaters. The Jobrang bridge, a critical link to remote parts of the district, was also inundated.
The local administration said water levels in streams across the Lahaul-Spiti region had risen significantly in recent days, increasing the risk of flash floods and weather-related disruptions. It advised road users to remain cautious while driving through vulnerable stretches, as weather conditions in the high-altitude region remain unpredictable.
Authorities also urged commuters to follow traffic advisories and cooperate with officials deployed along the highway to ensure safe and smooth movement.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall over the mountainous region, prompting authorities and disaster management agencies to intensify monitoring in vulnerable areas and issue precautionary advisories to travellers.
Meanwhile, a woman from Nalagarh died in an accident near Aut in Mandi district after being struck by a boulder that rolled down a hillside amid continuous heavy rainfall.
She was travelling with her family in a car when they stopped near the Shani Temple at Aut after she felt unwell. As she stepped out of the vehicle to vomit, a large boulder suddenly fell from the hillside and struck her. She sustained severe injuries and died at the scene.
Police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. The body was taken into custody and sent for a post-mortem examination. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The Beas River is flowing above its normal level, and authorities have urged people to avoid riverbanks, streams and landslide-prone areas.