Shimla, Aug. 29 -- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched urgent restoration work on the Kiratpur-Pandoh-Kullu-Manali section of National Highway 21 after severe floods, cloudbursts, and flash floods damaged key stretches, cutting off road connectivity to the tourist town of Manali.

According to a press release issued by the NHAI's Regional Office in Shimla on Friday, NHAI Chairman Santosh Kumar Yadav held a review meeting with senior headquarters officials and field engineers to assess the extent of the damage and plan immediate restoration measures.

The release said that ten locations on the Kullu-Manali section had been "completely washed away" and five more had suffered partial damage due to "torrent rains and ...