BJP MP Kangana Ranaut raises concerns on X about possibility of people being trapped under debris in Mandi, deputy commissioner urges public to avoid ‘rumours’

However, DC Apoorv Devgun, who is also the chairman of the District Disaster Management Authority, clarified that there is no evidence yet of anyone being trapped under the debris. “Do not spread rumours regarding the Banala landslide; there is no proof of anyone being buried in the debris,” the deputy commissioner said.

In an official statement, Devgun said that reports circulating on social media about casualties and vehicles being caught in the landslide near Banala, close to Pandoh on the four-lane highway, are completely baseless. “Some individuals are spreading misinformation that people and vehicles were hit by the landslide and casualties have occurred. No such evidence has surfaced so far,” he added.

The DC informed that a massive landslide occurred around 8.30 pm on Wednesday from a high hill near Banala, and the debris reached the river. Debris clearance began early Thursday morning.

“So far, no confirmation has been made of any person or vehicle being trapped under the cleared debris, nor has any eyewitness come forward. The remaining debris will be cleared within the next few hours,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Mandi-Kullu National Highway-21 has been severely damaged due to the massive landslide in Banala. Approximately 2,100 vehicles were stranded at various locations on the National Highway-21 between Mandi and Kullu. The places where motorists were stranded included Thalout (90 motorists), Pandoh (600 motorists), Nagchalla (450 motorists), 9 Miles (400 motorists), and Banala (200 motorists).

Meanwhile, travellers have been advised to avoid unnecessary night travel and follow advisories issued by the administration.

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