Vegetable suppliers and distributors in Manali, Himachal Pradesh, are struggling after heavy rains damaged the Aleo–Manali National Highway. The roadblock has badly affected the supply of vegetables coming from Punjab.
Ashish Sharma, local vegetable distributor, said they were paying extra for labour to carry the vegetables but were not making any profit. He urged the administration to restore the road quickly so that supplies could reach on time.
Ashish Sharma said, "The road was blocked after the floods on August 26, and we are facing trouble with transportation. We had to transport it on foot on August 28 and had to pay Rs 200 per item to the labourers, due to which the vegetables are costing us a lot. We urge the administration to begin the route as soon as possible."
They cannot sell the vegetables at higher prices because of the orders passed by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, he further added.
"We cannot sell vegetables at higher prices as per the orders by the SDM, and selling at high prices is not good in times of disasters. Our profit is zero, but the public should get the supplies. We are afraid...it is being told that it will rain for the next two to three days," he said.
The situation has worsened after continuous downpours forced the closure of the Chandigarh–Manali Highway on Thursday, following a landslide at Banala.
In Kullu district, the Beas River in spate washed away part of the highway.
The IMD has sounded a yellow alert in Kullu, warning of rainfall between 5–15 mm per hour until noon today, while Kangra has been placed under an orange alert. The IMD has predicted rainfall in Himachal Pradesh for the next six days.
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