Major damage at Kainchi Morh, traffic paralysed between Mandi and Kullu
Munish Sood
MANDI: The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, a lifeline for tourism and trade in Himachal Pradesh, has once again suffered a major collapse. Just hours after a brief reopening, the highway was shut down late Wednesday (August 27, 2025) night following heavy rainfall that caused a complete road washout at Kainchi Morh near Pandoh.
The collapse has left hundreds of vehicles stranded and forced the authorities to divert light traffic through alternative interior routes. Officials warn that restoring the damaged section may take a long time, severely impacting connectivity to the Kullu-Manali region.
Landslide at Banala triggers panic, rumors of vehicles buried
Adding to the chaos, a massive landslide at Banala caused panic, with social media buzzing with unverified claims that several vehicles were buried under debris. However, the Mandi police have categorically denied receiving any such reports.
“Debris removal is underway. So far, no eyewitness or missing person’s complaint has been filed and nothing has been found under the cleared rubble,” said Mandi SP Sakshi Verma, stressing that the situation will be clearer only after the entire debris is removed.
Kangana Ranaut posts on X without verification
Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut further stirred controversy by posting on X that several vehicles and people were feared trapped in the landslide. Calling the incident “tragic,” she said she was in touch with officials and prayed for the safety of those affected.
However, her remarks drew criticism as they were based on unverified social media chatter rather than official confirmation. Senior officials clarified that no such incident had been reported.
Observers pointed out that as an elected representative, Kangana Ranaut should have verified facts with the district administration before amplifying unconfirmed claims, especially in a disaster-prone region where panic spreads quickly.
Highway completely washed away
The scale of the disaster is grim. The section near Kainchi Morh has been entirely washed away, leaving no passage even for pedestrians. The highway was already blocked at Banala due to falling rocks, and though clearance work was underway there, the sudden collapse near Pandoh has now rendered the stretch impassable.
Officials say repairing the damage or creating a viable alternative route will take significant time.
Alternative route open for small vehicles
Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan inspected the Mandi-Bajoura road via Kamand, which has now been cleared of multiple landslides. At present, only small vehicles are allowed on this one-way diversion, with traffic being released alternately from each side.
The residents of Dyoḍ village near Kainchi Morh described the night of heavy rain as “terrifying”. Local villager Yadvendra Thakur said the rain was accompanied by deafening sounds “as if everything was collapsing.” Within minutes, the highway had “vanished like a pack of cards.”
Vehicles caught, drivers escape
At least three vehicles were caught in landslides along the highway during the downpour. One driver accidentally slipped his car into a roadside drain while trying to reverse away from falling rocks. Luckily, all occupants escaped unhurt.
Authorities have begun clearing debris at the collapse site, but officials warn that restoration will not be easy. “The damage is extensive, and it will take time to decide whether a temporary road can be built or a permanent reconstruction is needed,” said Pandoh police post in-charge Anil Katoch.
The road from Mandi to Pandoh remains unaffected. This is not the first time the highway has been crippled. In 2023, a nearby stretch sank into the Pandoh Dam, leaving the road blocked for eight months before it was rebuilt. Experts fear this latest collapse could take even longer as no immediate alternative route exists.
If the highway remains blocked for an extended period, the only access to Kullu–Manali may be through the Katola route, a narrow road unsuitable for heavy traffic.
