After rain in Himachal Pradesh and snowfall on high mountain passes, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has restored the Manali-Leh highway, which was closed for five days. Additionally, the disaster management team has safely evacuated tourists stranded in Sarchu.
Shimla: On Thursday morning, light snowfall occurred on the Shinkula and Baralacha passes, while Shimla experienced rain in the afternoon. Sunshine during the day brought some relief. Following this, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) reopened the Manali-Leh highway, which had been closed for five days. The District Disaster Management Authority, Lahaul-Spiti team transported four tourists from Bengal, who had been stranded in Sarchu for five days, to Keylong.
With the Manali-Leh highway restored, vehicle drivers who were stranded at various locations for five days will depart for their destinations on Friday. BRO machinery has also reached Baralacha.
Manali-Leh Highway Restored, Relief After Snowfall
On Thursday morning, light snowfall occurred on the Shinkula and Baralacha passes, while Shimla experienced rain in the afternoon. However, the appearance of sunshine after noon aided the road opening process. Border Roads Organisation machinery reached the Baralacha Pass and restored the route. The District Disaster Management Authority, Lahaul-Spiti team safely transported four tourists from Bengal, who were stranded in Sarchu, to Keylong. Concurrently, vehicle drivers who have been stranded on the route for five days will now gradually proceed towards their destinations.
Approximately 250 truck drivers stranded in Darcha are planned to be evacuated today. These trucks were carrying army logistics and got stuck in Darcha due to snowfall. Additionally, 20 truck drivers coming from Leh were also stranded in Sarchu, whom the BRO team is gradually trying to evacuate. According to the Meteorological Department, clear weather is expected in the coming days. Light rain is possible at one or two places on October 10, but sunshine is likely in most areas.
Temperature Rise and Weather Conditions
Sunshine has led to an increase of up to 11.6 degrees Celsius in maximum temperatures across Himachal Pradesh. The district-wise temperature increase was as follows:
- Bajoura in Kullu district: 11.6°C
- Seobagh: 11.5°C
- Sundernagar: 8.6°C
- Narkanda: 7.2°C
- Mandi: 6°C
The Meteorological Department predicts clear weather in Himachal Pradesh until October 14, which is expected to normalize tourism and road traffic.
