Shimla: Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has triggered fresh landslides and flash floods, washing away shops, collapsing buildings, cutting off highways, and inundating residential areas, officials said on Tuesday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported since the onset of the rains on Monday night.
The local meteorological office has issued a red alert for intense to very intense rainfall at isolated locations in Kangra, Chamba, and Lahaul and Spiti districts. An orange alert has been issued for Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Kullu districts, and Shimla city, warning of heavy rain in these areas.
In Kullu district’s Manali, strong currents of the Beas river swept away a multi-storey hotel and four shops in the early hours of Tuesday. Floodwaters also entered Alu Ground in Manali, blocking the Manali-Leh highway at several points. Meanwhile, water from the Ghanvi Khud (drain) entered homes in Kullu town.
In Mandi district, two buildings housing about 40 shops collapsed in the Balichowki area late Monday night. No injuries were reported as the buildings had been vacated earlier due to safety concerns. Kinnaur district’s Kanvi area also faced flash floods.
Various district administrations have ordered the closure of educational institutions as a precaution. Orders were issued by Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Solan, and Banjar in Kullu district on Monday evening. Shimla district ordered the closure of all government and private schools on Tuesday morning due to ongoing heavy rainfall, landslides, and uprooted trees blocking roads. Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap cited student safety as the reason for the closure.
As of Monday night, 795 roads across the state were closed, while approximately 956 power transformers and 517 water supply schemes were disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Of the closed roads, 289 are in Mandi, 214 in Chamba, and 132 in Kullu. National Highway NH-3 (Mandi-Dharampur) and NH-305 (Aut-Sainj) remain closed.
Between June 20 and August 25, at least 156 people have died and 38 are missing due to rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh. The state has experienced 77 flash floods, 41 cloudbursts, and 81 major landslides, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 2,394 crore.
Himachal Pradesh has recorded 703.7 mm of rainfall from June 1 to August 25, exceeding the average of 577.9 mm by 22%. August alone has seen a 44% surplus in rainfall so far.
