Shimla, June 30: The first heavy spell of monsoon has left a trail of destruction across Himachal Pradesh, triggering landslides, cloudbursts, road blockades, power failures, and house collapses.
A fresh orange alert has been issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla, for Kangra, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts, warning of continued intense rainfall till July 5.
In Shimla city, a five-storey house in Bhattakufar collapsed on Monday morning. Locals and the area’s corporator blame reckless excavation for four-lane road construction.
Fortunately, the house—owned by a retired assistant engineer—was evacuated late Sunday night, saving the family from tragedy. Another nearby house has developed cracks, adding to the fear.
Meanwhile, a cloudburst in Sikaseri Gatula, under Sarpara panchayat in Rampur sub-division, wreaked havoc around 2 a.m., damaging two huts, a kitchen, and personal belongings of one Rajendra Kumar. Two cows belonging to Vinod Kumar and Gopal Singh were also washed away.
The Rampur tehsil administration has rushed revenue teams to assess the losses.
As per official data, 135 roads and three national highways were blocked by landslides across the state. In Shimla and Kullu, all flights were cancelled.
The Kalka-Shimla heritage rail line was disrupted after debris blocked the track. Multiple trains had to be cancelled between Kalka and Shimla.
The situation has been worsened by NHAI's failure to fix the troubled spot at Chakki Morh on the Kalka-Shimla National Highway.
Even after two years, the highway continues to remain unstable, exposing the National Highways Authority of India’s lack of expertise in stabilising the stretch.
It now takes two hours to travel from Chakki Morh to Parwanoo, especially with the tourist rush, causing massive snarls and public outrage.
In Mandi's Janjehli sub-division, 14 key PWD roads were damaged, and repair costs are pegged at over ₹55 lakh.
The downpour triggered widespread power outages, affecting over 600 transformers and choking six drinking water schemes. In Shimla, six buildings are under threat from landslides. I
n Sanajauli, a mother and daughter were trapped inside their house due to debris before being rescued.
Five vehicles were buried under landslide debris in different parts of the capital.
In Sirmaur, landslides destroyed raw materials of two industrial units in Moginand, and the Paonta-Shillai highway was blocked for hours.
A major water crisis has hit Shimla city, with the Gumma water project shut down due to high silt levels. Giri, Churat, and Koti Barandi schemes are also struggling.
Water supply in several areas—like Sangti, Malyana, Bhattakufar, Kaithu, and Khalini—remains disrupted for the third day, and the situation is unlikely to improve before Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Himachal Pradesh University has postponed all PG exams scheduled for June 30, citing red alert warnings and disruption caused by rains.
Shimla Mayor Chauhan has directed an immediate halt to all excavation and digging activities in the city to prevent further damage. The Municipal Corporation will issue a formal notification today.
In view of the IMD’s warning, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has ordered the closure of all schools and anganwadi centres in the four high-risk districts.
All educational institutions in Sirmaur, Kangra, Manali, and Banjar subdivisions will also remain shut today.
As the rains continue to batter the state, people have been urged to avoid travel to vulnerable areas, stay alert, and follow government advisories.
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