Rain Batters Himachal: 5 Dead In 36 Hours, 398 Roads Shut, Schools Closed In 3 Subdivisions
Heavy rain forced a one-day suspension of the Shrikhand Mahadev and Kinner Kailash yatras. DC Kullu said the move was for safety, and devotees were asked to stay at base camps
Heavy rain has once again gripped Himachal Pradesh, causing significant disruptions and loss of life. Over the past 36 hours, six individuals have perished due to rain and landslides in the state. Additionally, 398 roads, including three national highways, have been closed at various locations. The inclement weather has also affected 682 electricity transformers and 151 drinking water schemes.
Earlier on Monday, severe rainfall led to the closure of schools and educational institutions in Shillai, Kotkhai, and Thunag. An Orange alert has been issued for Una, Hamirpur, Solan, and Bilaspur on Tuesday, with a Yellow alert for eight other districts.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, the state continues to experience adverse weather conditions. Intermittent rain persisted throughout Monday night, causing power outages in numerous districts. The Meteorological Department had issued a red alert for five districts on Monday, with an Orange alert continuing into Tuesday.
In Mandi district, a Yellow alert has been issued amid continuous rainfall, prompting the closure of all educational institutions in the Thunag, Karsog, and Nihari tehsils. Persistent heavy rain since Sunday night has worsened conditions across the district. A landslide near Dwada on the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway (NH-3) has completely blocked the road, stranding hundreds of vehicles and passengers. The administration and NHAI teams are working to clear the route.
On Tuesday, traffic on the Kandi-Kataula road connecting Kullu district was disrupted after 2–3 vehicles broke down near Rahla-Ropa, about 8–10 km from Bajaura towards Mandi. The breakdown led to a traffic jam, halting movement from both sides. Locals have urged the administration to clear the route at the earliest.
5 Dead In Separate Incidents Across Region
From Sunday evening to Tuesday morning, six people have died due to landslides and drowning across the state, including two girls of Nepali origin who drowned in a water tank in Lahaul Spiti.
A landslide struck Sutah village in Chamba's Mahla block around 4 am on Monday, killing a young couple as they slept. Rahul and Pallavi had been married just 4–5 months, and the woman had returned to her maternal home with her husband.
Young Man Swept Away In Sundernagar
In Sundernagar, a 20-year-old youth died after being swept away by a strong current while crossing a ravine in Dehvi village of Gram Panchayat Kangu. Rohit Kumar, son of Mangat Ram from Jandrehadu village, was returning from his aunt's house and was crossing the Jadol ravine on Monday morning when the incident occurred.
In a separate incident in Rampur, Shimla, two people were injured after massive boulders fell on a pickup vehicle on the Luhri-Sunni road. The rocks, which suddenly broke off from the hillside, completely crushed the vehicle, leaving it mangled beyond recognition.
Shrikhand, Kinner Kailash Yatra Halted
Due to heavy rains, the Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra in Kullu and the Kinner Kailash Yatra in Kinnaur were suspended for a day on Monday. DC Kullu, Torul S. Ravish, said the decision was taken in view of devotees' safety, and all pilgrims have been asked to remain at the base camp. Continuous rainfall in the high-altitude areas of Nirmand subdivision has caused rivers and streams to swell, increasing the risk of landslides. So far, around 6,900 devotees have taken part in the pilgrimage.
SDM Kalpa in Kinnaur informed that around 300 devotees were halted at Meling Khatta on Monday, while a group of 40 pilgrims who had advanced toward the cave in the morning were being brought back. A flood in Pagal Nala led to a three-hour blockade on National Highway-5 (NH-5). Water levels also rose in Togtoche Nala and Gangarang Nala in Sangla, though no damage was reported. Meanwhile, flooding in Runang Nala caused a complete standstill of traffic on NH-5.
Train Passes Above, Landslide Below
On Monday, heavy rain caused the Chakki river in Nurpur, Kangra, to swell, damaging the bridge that connects Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The strong current eroded the base of the bridge, making it unsafe for travel. The nearby railway bridge was also affected, and a major accident was narrowly avoided as a train crossed while the structure was sinking from below.
The downpour cut off three villages in the Indora assembly constituency from the main road, completely halting movement. Notably, the same route was washed away during last year's monsoon, prompting the construction of an alternative road with army assistance.
Indora SDM Surendra Thakur said over the phone that he and Public Works Department officials are heading to the site, and efforts will be made to restore the road with help from the army and Pathankot administration.
Bus Trapped In Debris, Passengers Escape Safely
A major mishap was averted in the Sangrah area of Renuka assembly constituency in Sirmaur district when a private bus got stuck in heavy debris at the Barsari drain near Kadiyana village. The bus, travelling on the Sangrah–Chadna route, was carrying 15 passengers. Fortunately, it did not get swept away by the debris, and all passengers escaped unharmed.
Meanwhile, in Seraj area of Mandi district, heavy rain caused drains to overflow, spreading panic among locals. A search operation has been underway since the July 1 disaster. So far, 15 bodies have been recovered, while 27 people remain missing.
Monsoon Havoc In Himachal, Loss Crosses Rs 1,246 Crore
The monsoon has unleashed widespread devastation across Himachal Pradesh. According to the latest report from the State Disaster Management Authority, the state has incurred losses exceeding Rs 1,246 crore since June 20. Continuous rainfall and frequent landslides have brought daily life to a standstill.
So far, 1,162 houses, 1,005 cattle sheds, and 276 shops have been destroyed. The calamity has claimed the lives of 1,296 cattle and over 21,500 poultry birds. Essential services have also been hit hard—three national highways and 398 roads remain closed, while 682 transformers and 151 water supply schemes are non-functional.
Relief and restoration work is underway, but weather conditions continue to hamper progress. Authorities have urged people to stay away from rivers and drains and avoid unnecessary travel.
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First Published:
July 22, 2025, 12:58 IST
News india Rain Batters Himachal: 5 Dead In 36 Hours, 398 Roads Shut, Schools Closed In 3 Subdivisions
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