Monsoon Havoc Returns to Himachal: Torrential Rains Kill 132, Block 398 Roads Including 3 National Highways
Shimla, July 21:
Once again, the monsoon has unleashed devastation across Himachal Pradesh. From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon, relentless downpours have thrown life into disarray. Landslides have shut down hundreds of roads, rivers and streams are overflowing, and water released from dams has further escalated the risk. The districts of Shimla, Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, Bilaspur, and Hamirpur have all experienced intense rainfall.
According to the Meteorological Department, Gaggal in Kangra recorded the highest rainfall in the past 24 hours at 150 mm, followed by Nagrota Surian with 130 mm. Sandhol in Mandi and Chuari in Chamba recorded 120 mm, while Mandi and Ghumarwin received 110 mm. Joginder Nagar and Nahan saw 100 mm of rain, and Renuka, Pandoh, and Pachhad received around 90 mm.
The department has issued an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Chamba and Kangra on July 22, and a Yellow Alert for heavy rainfall in Una, Mandi, and Sirmaur. A Yellow Alert remains in place for several districts from July 23 to 27.
As a result of the heavy rains, authorities were forced to release water from the Kol Dam, Larji Dam, and Nathpa Dam, causing river levels to rise dangerously. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from riverbanks.
Schools and Anganwadi centers in many sub-divisions of Mandi, Shimla, Kullu, and Sirmaur remained closed on Monday. The Kinner Kailash Yatra in Kinnaur was also temporarily suspended for a day.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, 398 roads, including three national highways, are currently blocked. Around 682 power transformers are down, plunging several areas into darkness, and 151 drinking water schemes have been disrupted.
Mandi has been hit the hardest, with 242 road closures, followed by 55 in Kullu, and 27 each in Sirmaur and Shimla. Chamba has 25 and Kangra 11 affected roads. Two national highways in Mandi and one in Sirmaur are closed. Additionally, 294 transformers are non-functional in Mandi, 186 in Kullu, and 117 in Hamirpur, worsening the electricity crisis.
Several incidents were reported in Shimla district due to the rains. On the Anti-Chhajpur road in Jubbal, a car was caught under debris and fallen trees, but both occupants escaped safely. Near Chaura Maidan, a landslide buried Puneet Thakur’s car, causing minor injuries. Two large trees fell near Sanjauli College, blocking the road and damaging two vehicles. On the Shimla-Chopal road, trucks carrying apples and other vehicles were stranded due to fallen trees.
This monsoon season, 132 lives have been lost in Himachal so far. 223 people have been injured, and 34 are missing. Mandi and Kangra have reported the highest fatalities with 21 each, followed by Kullu (15), Chamba (14), Shimla (11), Solan and Hamirpur (10 each), and Una (9).
The destruction includes 393 fully damaged houses, 276 shops, and 1,007 cowsheds. An additional 769 houses have sustained partial damage. The total estimated loss to property has reached ₹1,246 crore. Mandi district has faced the most extensive damage, with 365 houses, 253 shops, and 805 cowsheds completely destroyed.
So far, the state has recorded 23 cloudburst incidents, 36 flash floods, and 24 major landslides—with Mandi alone witnessing 15 cloudbursts.
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