Torrential rain in Mandi district disrupted traffic on the Mandi-Pathankot national highway after a recently constructed road safety wall collapsed near Chamda Mod, about a kilometre ahead of Kotropi, under Padhar subdivision, late Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 2.30 am following heavy rainfall, causing nearly half of the highway to cave in. Traffic on the busy route was completely halted in the early hours, triggering concerns over commuter safety on the vulnerable stretch.
By morning, authorities restored the movement of light vehicles after carrying out limited cutting work on the rear side of the road. However, the highway remains precarious and buses and other heavy vehicles have been barred from passing through the damaged section.
Padhar SDM Surjeet Singh Thakur, accompanied by a team of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), inspected the site soon after being informed about the damage. Officials assessed the extent of the collapse and examined measures to ensure the safe movement of traffic
Speaking to The Tribune, the SDM said the affected portion was currently unsafe for heavy vehicles. He added that NHAI officials had been directed to restore the highway for heavy vehicles within two days, subject to weather conditions.
