Punjab Newsline | Shimla
Himachal Pradesh is once again battling the fury of the monsoon, with relentless rainfall triggering flash floods, landslides and widespread disruption across the state. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a Red Alert for five districts for July 20–21, prompting authorities to step up precautionary measures.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Shimla, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Sirmaur are under a Red Alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Una, Hamirpur, Shimla and Solan have been placed under an Orange Alert, while Bilaspur, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti remain under a Yellow Alert.
In response, the state government has directed district administrations to immediately evacuate residents living in vulnerable houses near rivers, streams and seasonal drains.
A major incident was reported in Kinnaur, where a flash flood in the Dumbar Khad near Ranikanda, beyond Chitkul, washed away a 110-foot Bailey bridge, completely disrupting traffic on the Chitkul-Dumti road.
In Lahaul, the rising water level of the Chenab River submerged the Jobrang bridge by nearly three feet from Saturday night until Sunday morning, affecting connectivity in the region.
Heavy rain also impacted Shimla, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and Sirmaur, where light to moderate showers were recorded.
As a precaution, the Kangra district administration has declared a two-day holiday for all educational institutions. Adverse weather conditions also led to the cancellation of four flights connecting Kangra with Delhi and Noida. A mud house collapsed in the Raja Ka Talab area, while another building suffered damage in Sahoura.
In Chamba, authorities have suspended the Manimahesh Yatra for three days due to continuous rainfall and the heightened risk of landslides. Security personnel have been deployed at Hadsar to regulate movement.
Nearly 200 pilgrims returning from the Kartik Swami Temple remained stranded for around nine hours after a landslide blocked the Hadsar-Kugti road near Dhanol. The Chamba-Bharmour National Highway also remained closed for several hours because of debris.
Meanwhile, in the Churah region, strong currents swept away construction material belonging to the Chanju-3 Hydroelectric Project, while timber worth crores stored by the Forest Corporation in the Charda area was also washed away in overflowing streams.
Authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel, stay away from rivers and landslide-prone areas, and strictly follow official weather advisories until conditions improve.
