Himachal: Bhali landslide, Banoi mudslide block highway
Himachal Pradesh: Heavy rains yesterday triggered a landslide in Bhali and a mudslide in Banoi, disrupting traffic on the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway. The four-lane road was blocked for over three hours, leaving ambulances, buses, and private vehicles stranded on both sides in long queues. The Bhali road, which had been identified by national highway authorities as prone to deep erosion even before the monsoon, proved particularly dangerous. Despite the use of heavy machinery, clearing efforts were delayed by persistent mudslides from rain-soaked slopes. Although traffic eventually resumed, vehicles continued to slide on the muddy surface, raising serious safety concerns.
A passenger stuck in the jam lamented, “Traveling through this area now feels like risking one’s life.” Students, government employees, and daily commuters were unable to reach their destinations, forcing many to return home. In Banoi, near the Kangra airport, poor drainage is suspected to have caused mudslides, further congesting the highway. Similarly, the Gaggal-Kangra road was blocked for hours due to another fresh landslide. Local residents are demanding immediate stabilization of the slope with protective nets and retaining layers before further widening work can begin. As monsoon rains continue, pressure is mounting on authorities to adopt stringent preventive measures to ensure the safety of travelers on this vital corridor.
