Flash flood near Jispa brings traffic to a standstill; police suspend movement towards affected stretch
Lahul, July 1
A flash flood triggered by a cloudburst near Jispa in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul-Spiti district has completely blocked the highway, bringing traffic to a standstill and prompting authorities to suspend the movement of vehicles towards the affected area.
Following the directions of Superintendent of Police, Lahaul-Spiti, Shivani Mehla, Lahaul-Spiti Police, in coordination with Ladakh and Zanskar Police, has halted all traffic heading towards the affected stretch until further notice to ensure public safety.
Authorities have urged tourists, local residents, and commuters not to travel towards Jispa until the road is fully cleared and normal traffic movement is restored. Travellers have been advised to remain at safe locations and strictly follow official advisories issued by the police and district administration.
"A cloudburst near Jispa this afternoon has completely blocked the road, resulting in a massive traffic congestion in the area. Keeping public safety as our top priority, Lahaul-Spiti Police, in coordination with Ladakh and Zanskar Police, has stopped all onward traffic until tomorrow morning," SP Mehla said.
The cloudburst has been due to glacial snow melting, as there has been no rain in the region, and this is the second flash flood in two consecutive days.
The official said road clearance work is being carried out at Jispa. Safe and smooth movement of traffic has started, and Continuous monitoring is being maintained to ensure the safety of commuters.
She further added, "We appeal to all drivers, tourists, and commuters not to proceed towards Jispa until the road is cleared and the situation returns to normal. Please stay at safe locations and follow official advisories."
The district administration and police are closely monitoring the situation, while road restoration efforts are expected to begin as soon as conditions permit. Further updates will be issued based on the progress of the clearance operation.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Second flash flood in two days! The police and administration are doing a good job coordinating with Ladakh and Zanskar. But I worry about the locals who depend on tourism. Hope roads are cleared soon and no one is stranded. Stay safe everyone ❤️
I was planning a road trip to Leh this month. This is a stark reminder that nature is unpredictable. Appreciate the transparency from SP Mehla and the quick response. Will postpone my trip until things settle down. Safety first!
This is concerning, but I appreciate the effort. However, I wish the authorities would have more permanent solutions for such disasters. Every year we see similar incidents in Himachal. Better drainage and strategic planning needed. The police deserve credit for managing traffic promptly though.
Cloudburst due to glacier melt without any rain - that's quite unusual. Climate change is real! Hopefully the road clearance operations go smoothly. Kudos to the police for clear communication. Tourists please stay put and don't be impatient. Safety over everything! ✨
Good to see the coordination between different police forces. But I'm skeptical about how quickly roads can be cleared - we've seen delays before. The administration should also ensure that stranded people have enough food and water. Hope everyone cooperates with the advisories.
K We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.