Monsoon fury continues to batter Himachal Pradesh as the local Meteorological Centre issued an Orange Alert warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall across multiple districts from July 28 to July 31. Widespread rain, flash floods, and debris flow have led to the closure of 135 key roads across the hill state. Since the official onset of the monsoon on June 30, at least 15 people have lost their lives in incidents related to landslides and flash floods. Severe weather conditions are predicted to persist across the state through August 1, prompting disaster management teams to remain on high alert.
Tragedy in Chamba as Bike Falls into Sal River
Surging water levels in regional rivers caused a tragic accident in Chamba district around 11 PM, when two young men riding a motorcycle lost control and plunged into the Sal River. Emergency rescue units including the NDRF, local Chamba police, the fire department, and Himachal Home Guards rushed to the spot to conduct a search operation. Teams successfully rescued 17-year-old Shubham from the riverbank in critical condition and immediately shifted him to a hospital for medical treatment. However, search operations continue for 19-year-old Saksham, who remains missing in the fast-flowing currents. Both youths are residents of Saru in Chamba.
Cloudburst Damages Infrastructure in Lahaul Valley
In the Mayar Valley of Lahaul-Spiti district, a cloudburst over the Dhondhal Nullah on Saturday night washed away a temporary bridge once again. Local MLA Anuradha Rana stated that the public works department acted swiftly to restore road access, keeping heavy machinery on standby at the site to handle sudden blockages. A temporary ropeway setup has also been installed to aid pedestrian crossing.
Rana noted that 8 to 10 small and large bridges at Dhondhal Nullah have been destroyed by flash floods over the past several years. She explained that while field crews work continuously, unexpected cloudbursts frequently sweep away existing temporary structures. To provide a permanent solution, the state government has approved a major flyover-style bridge for the site. Paperwork for the project is currently being processed, and construction work is scheduled to commence within this year. Meanwhile, at Jobrang in Lahaul, rising water levels in the Chandrabhaga River submerged the local bridge on Saturday evening, a recurring issue that happens whenever upper catchment temperatures rise or rainfall intensifies.
Rainfall Statistics and Impact on Essential Utilities
Data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) revealed that most regions in Himachal Pradesh experienced moderate to heavy rainfall over the past 24 hours. Kandaghat in Solan district recorded the highest rainfall at 106.4 mm. Other notable measurements included Sundernagar at 65.2 mm, Kahu in Bilaspur at 40.2 mm, Kothi in Kullu at 39.2 mm, Sarahan in Rampur at 34.5 mm, Jogindernagar at 31.0 mm, Jaiton Barrage at 24.4 mm, Shimla at 16.8 mm, and Kufri at 15.0 mm.
The extreme weather has disrupted basic public services across rural and urban pockets. Approximately 38 drinking water supply schemes have been damaged or clogged, cutting off clean water supplies to several villages. In addition, 44 power transformers are currently out of order, leaving multiple communities without electricity. In Dharampur, Mandi district, thick mud accumulated near the Paracchu bridge on the main road, causing vehicles to slip and struggle while negotiating the uphill gradient.
District-Wise Road Closures and Forecast Schedule
A breakdown of the 135 blocked roads shows that Kullu district is the worst hit with 54 road closures. Mandi follows with 43 blocked routes, Shimla has 15, Chamba has 8, Kangra and Lahaul-Spiti have 5 each, Sirmaur has 4, and Una has 1 road out of service. Heavy earthmovers and clear-up crews have been dispatched to clear rocks and mudslides.
The Shimla Meteorological Centre has mapped out specific district alerts for the upcoming days. On July 28, an Orange Alert applies to portions of Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Mandi districts. On July 29, intense spells are expected in Una, Kangra, and Sirmaur. On July 30, heavy to very heavy precipitation is predicted across Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Kangra districts. Authorities have strongly advised residents and tourists to avoid approaching riverbanks, water bodies, and vulnerable landslide zones during this period.
