NH-05 Blocked in Kinnaur After Heavy Rain Triggers Mudflow, Shooting Stones

National Highway-05 was blocked for vehicular movement in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district after shooting stones and mudflow triggered by heavy rainfall hit the Maling Nala area, officials said on Sunday.

According to district police, continuous rain caused shooting stones and mudflow along the Chaura-Samdo stretch of the highway, forcing authorities to suspend traffic movement on the key road.

The highway had also been blocked earlier near Tapri due to mudflow, leaving several vehicles stranded and disrupting the movement of commuters and transport operators in the area.

Officials said teams from the district administration, police and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been deployed at the affected locations to clear the debris and restore traffic at the earliest.

Heavy machinery has been pressed into service to remove the accumulated muck and clear vehicles stuck near Tapri. Authorities are monitoring the affected stretches amid continued rainfall and the possibility of further disruptions.

The weather conditions have also raised concerns over road connectivity in the higher reaches of the state, where landslides, falling rocks and mudflow can pose risks to commuters during periods of intense precipitation.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, while rain is expected in the middle and lower hills as well as the plains.

According to the weather forecast, precipitation is likely to continue across the state until September 29. Weather conditions are expected to improve thereafter, with the state likely to experience generally clear weather from September 30 through October 3.

Authorities have urged commuters to remain cautious while travelling through vulnerable stretches and follow advisories issued by local administration and police as restoration work continues.