Monsoon Fury Creates 50-Km Traffic Jam, on Chandigarh-Kullu Highway

Monsoon Fury Paralyzes Key Highway

A catastrophic combination of relentless monsoon rains and multiple landslides has brought a vital transportation artery in northern India to a complete standstill. A colossal 50-kilometer traffic jam has paralyzed the Chandigarh-Kullu highway, stranding thousands of vehicles and creating a logistical nightmare. The blockade has proven especially devastating for the region's agricultural sector, with truckloads of perishable goods rotting in transit, leading to staggering financial losses.

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An Economic Disaster Unfolds

The immediate and most severe impact of the gridlock is being felt by truck drivers transporting fresh produce to major markets in the Delhi-NCR region. Thousands of trucks, laden with perishable items like fruits and vegetables, have been stuck for days with no way forward. The economic toll is immense; the estimated loss from the stranded apple consignments alone is believed to have crossed ₹50 crore. For individual drivers and farmers, the situation is dire, as entire truckloads of produce, worth lakhs of rupees each, spoil before they can reach their destination.

A Challenging Path to Recovery

Efforts to clear the highway are being severely hampered by the extent of the damage. The route between Mandi and Kullu is blocked at six different points due to landslides. While authorities have managed to clear a path for lighter vehicles, the road remains impassable for the heavy trucks that form the backbone of the region's supply chain. The repair work, led by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), is progressing slowly. The powerful currents of the Beas River have washed away entire sections of the highway, making reconstruction a slow and arduous process.

A Region Under Siege

This traffic jam is just one part of a wider disaster affecting Himachal Pradesh. The state has been battered by the monsoon season, which has so far claimed the lives of 158 people, with another 38 still missing. The cumulative financial loss from the relentless rains and subsequent damage has already surpassed ₹2,623 crore. The paralysed highway highlights the devastating impact of extreme weather on the region's people and economy.

Havoc by the Numbers

• Massive Gridlock: Heavy monsoon rains and landslides have caused a 50-kilometer traffic jam on the Chandigarh-Kullu highway, stranding thousands.

• Huge Economic Losses: Fresh produce, particularly apples, worth crores of rupees is rotting in stranded trucks, causing a severe financial blow to the agricultural sector.

• Slow Recovery: Repair work is being hampered by extensive damage to the highway caused by the overflowing Beas River, with no immediate relief for heavy vehicles.

Wider Devastation: The incident is part of a broader monsoon-related disaster in Himachal Pradesh that has resulted in significant loss of life and over ₹2,600 crore in damages.