Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district faced its first big monsoon test and it did not go well. A flash flood tore through the Meeru nullah near Choling, sending debris and boulders onto the national highway that links Kaza, Kinnaur and Shimla, and brought traffic to a complete halt. Hours earlier, around 3 am, the neighbouring village of Ribba had its own scare when a sudden flood forced residents to stay awake through the night. No casualties have been reported from either location so far.
Two vehicles buried near Choling
Near the primary school in Choling, floodwater and debris from the nullah completely buried two vehicles, a Scorpio and a pickup truck. No injuries or deaths have been reported among their occupants. A large number of vehicles, including many trucks, were left stranded on both sides of the blocked stretch.
Ribba villagers spend the night clearing vehicles
In Ribba, the flash flood struck the local khad around 3 am and cut off the link road connecting Ribba to Kande. No lives were lost, though several small vehicles suffered partial damage in the flooding. Residents rushed out in the middle of the night to move their vehicles to safer ground.
Pea farmers caught in the chaos
The timing could hardly be worse for local farmers. Kinnaur's pea harvest is currently at its peak, and the highway closure left drivers of pea-laden trucks stuck for hours. With the crop unable to reach markets on schedule, both farmers and traders grew increasingly anxious, since delays in a perishable crop like peas translate directly into losses.
Highway reopens after a six-hour scramble
Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Dr Amit Kumar Sharma confirmed the incident and said heavy machinery had been deployed near Choling to clear the road and pull out stranded vehicles. Administrative teams stayed on site throughout the operation, working to reopen the blocked national highway as quickly as possible. Roughly six hours after the flood struck, the highway was restored to traffic on a temporary basis.
Worst hit: Lippa, Choling and Rispa, says BJP leader
BJP leader Surat Singh Negi, who represents Kinnaur, said the season's very first monsoon spell had caused extensive destruction across the district, with the Lippa, Choling and Rispa areas bearing the brunt of damage to roads, connecting routes and daily life. He said early reports pointed to floods and landslides disrupting movement at multiple locations, leaving local residents struggling. Negi urged the state government and district administration to carry out an immediate on ground inspection of the affected areas, prepare a detailed damage assessment, and ensure the swift restoration of roads, drinking water, electricity and other essential services. He also called for proper compensation and relief for affected families, farmers and horticulturists, adding that he stood with the public during this difficult time.
Statewide toll: 46 roads and 181 transformers hit
Kinnaur was far from alone. Across Himachal Pradesh, the rain has affected 46 roads and 181 electricity transformers, with the state's public works department and electricity board now working on repairs. The meteorological department has issued an orange alert for Kangra, Mandi, Shimla and Sirmaur, and a yellow alert for several other districts. Even the capital, Shimla, did not escape unscathed: cracks appeared in the parking area of the Secretariat complex after the season's first spell of monsoon rain, adding to the list of concerns for the administration.
