News
At Least 320 Dead, ₹3,000 Crore Losses in Himachal Pradesh Floods
728 power transformers, 456 water supply schemes disrupted; 560 roads closed
SHIMLA — Landslides in two villages of Shimla damaged five houses, adding to the devastation caused by relentless rainfall across Himachal Pradesh.
According to data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), the ongoing monsoon has triggered 91 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts, and 93 major landslides, inflicting losses exceeding ₹3,040 crore.
Between June 20 and August 30, at least 320 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents, while 40 remain missing, the SEOC reported.
Thousands of pilgrims undertaking the Manimahesh Yatra remain stranded in Chamba district, most of them in the Bharmour area. Authorities said efforts are underway to ensure their safe return.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who conducted an aerial survey of Bharmour in landslide-hit Chamba and flood-affected Indora and Fatehpur in Kangra district, said that stranded pilgrims were being rescued, with police and administration assisting those trekking on foot.
Revenue and Public Works ministers were on the ground, directing officials to reopen roads at the earliest, though poor weather has hampered operations. Authorities are also considering airlifting pilgrims in small helicopters.
Comparing the present disaster to the 2023 floods, the chief minister said that while the loss of lives and property is lower this year, the scale of destruction is far greater.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena said nearly 6,000 pilgrims have been evacuated and transported to Pathankot and Nurpur by buses and taxis. Fresh reports suggest around 5,000 devotees remain in Bharmour, while about 500 are still in Chamba.
In recent days, heavy rain has shut down 842 roads, including key highways such as the Old Hindustan-Tibet Road, Mandi-Dharampur Road, and Aut-Sainj Road.
A police patrol led by Anil Katoch, in-charge of the Pandoh police post, narrowly escaped when a section of the hillside collapsed near the Hanogi Mata temple along the Mandi-Kullu highway.
In Manali, the situation remains grim. The Beas River has eroded land at several points, sweeping away the bridge connecting Old Manali. Locals reported that shops and homes were inundated, while flooding in the Manalsu stream disrupted drinking water supply schemes.
According to the SEOC, 728 electricity supply transformers and 456 water supply schemes have been knocked out of service. Of the 560 blocked roads, 236 are in Chamba, 198 in Mandi, and 177 in Kullu.
Meanwhile, the local meteorological department has issued an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in Una, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts. The advisory extends into Sunday for all districts except Mandi and Una.
Police have urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading rumors, and cooperate with authorities. Cautioning against landslides and road blockages, DGP Ashok Tiwari said satellite phones have been provided in Bharmour and other locations so stranded pilgrims can contact their families. Police personnel continue to clear debris and restore traffic wherever possible.
Several areas received moderate to heavy rainfall in the past 24 hours: Bhatiyat (104 mm), Jogindernagar (86 mm), Rampur (75.5 mm), Dharamshala (72.8 mm), Shimla (62 mm), Nahan (60 mm), Palampur (60 mm), Murari Devi (58.6 mm), Sarahan (45.5 mm), Gohar (43 mm), Narkanda (42 mm), Shillaru (41.4 mm), and Kangra (40.8 mm).
The Met Centre reported thunderstorms with rain in Shimla, Kangra, Bhuntar, Jot, Murari Devi, Palampur, and Sundernagar.
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