Himachal braces for monsoon challenges with floods and landslides
The ongoing monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh has raised significant concerns, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a flood warning for five districts: Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla. A yellow alert has been declared for heavy rainfall in the plains and mid-mountain regions, with these conditions expected to last until August 19.
On Tuesday, most areas across the state, including the capital city of Shimla, were under cloudy skies, with overnight rainfall reported in some regions. The weather forecast predicts that the monsoon will continue to be active, bringing consistent rainfall over the coming days. In response, the administration has advised residents to remain cautious, particularly around rivers, streams, and areas prone to landslides, especially in the districts facing a flood threat.
The monsoon’s impact has already been severe. Just two days ago, floods caused extensive damage in the Una and Sirmaur districts. The State Disaster Management Authority reported that landslides have blocked two national highways and 213 roads throughout the state. Furthermore, 218 electricity transformers and 143 drinking water projects are currently non-operational. Shimla has been one of the hardest-hit areas, with 89 roads closed, followed by Sirmaur with 42, Mandi with 37, Kullu with 26, Kinnaur with 4, and Kangra with 6. Efforts are underway to restore access and essential services as swiftly as possible.
The situation was further exacerbated on Tuesday around 4 PM when a cloudburst occurred in the Thikru and Lingne hills of Kinnaur district, causing widespread panic. Eyewitnesses reported that lightning struck dark clouds, triggering a sudden surge of water that cascaded down the hills towards the Sutlej River. The resulting flood, which lasted for about an hour, swept away numerous trees, stones, and caused significant land erosion.
The flood’s force severely damaged a large section of the Thikru connecting road, cutting off access to the area and halting the movement of local residents. It also damaged irrigation kuhals and water sources managed by the Jal Shakti Department, which are vital to the local villagers. Fortunately, no loss of life has been reported from this incident so far. Residents noted that the situation could have been far worse had the flood occurred in a more densely populated area.
As the floodwaters receded, residents expressed relief. Many gathered to witness the aftermath of the cloudburst, an event that has become increasingly common in the Kinnaur district, despite minimal rainfall in high-altitude regions. Similar incidents have been recently reported in various panchayat areas including Ropa, Hango, Charang, Khab, Sangla, Raksham, and Rupi. The Kinnaur administration has urged people to avoid rivers, streams, and high-altitude areas unless absolutely necessary.
