Mandi Battles Nature’s Fury Again: Chandigarh-Manali National Highway Hit
The people of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh are once again facing nature’s wrath as the 2025 monsoon unleashes widespread devastation. The scenes unfolding today are eerily reminiscent of the 2023 disaster, stirring painful memories for many residents.
So far, nearly 1,000 homes have been reduced to rubble, and dozens of roads lie in ruins. Among the worst-hit is the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, a lifeline for locals and tourists alike. The NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) has already reported losses nearing ₹200 crore, caused by relentless rains, landslides, collapsing retaining walls, and broken stretches of highway.
Varun Chari, NHAI’s Project Director, shared, “The damage spans from Mandi to Aut. A Pune-based company is currently assessing the full extent of the destruction. They’re also investigating the recurring landslides to help us find a permanent, technology-driven solution to prevent such disasters in the future.”
The stretch from 4 Mile in Mandi to Aut has become a danger zone, with landslides continuing to pour down from the hills. Several retaining walls have collapsed, and others are showing deep cracks—warning signs of further instability. Near Kainchimod in Pandoh, a section of the highway has sunk again, forcing authorities to restrict traffic to one-way movement.
As rescue and repair efforts continue, the resilience of Mandi’s people is once again being tested. But with better planning and technology, there is hope that such tragedies can be prevented in the future.
