Torrential rains in Himachal Pradesh have resulted in widespread disruption, with 822 roads, including three national highways, closed as of today. Landslides and flash floods triggered by the intense rainfall have wreaked havoc across the state, crippling transportation networks and disrupting normal life.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) has reported extensive road closures across several districts. Chamba is particularly affected, with 253 roads blocked. Mandi follows with 207 blocked roads, including National Highway 3. Kullu has 176 road closures, including National Highway 305. Other districts experiencing significant disruptions include Kangra (61 roads blocked), Shimla (39), Una (22), Solan (18), and Sirmaur (18). Lahaul and Spiti have 11 roads blocked, including National Highway 5, while Kinnaur has one non-functional road, and Hamirpur also has one road impacted.
The closure of these roads, especially the national highways, has severely hampered traffic movement and caused considerable inconvenience to residents and tourists alike. The Chandigarh-Manali Highway, a crucial artery for tourism and commerce, has been repeatedly disrupted due to landslides, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded. Specifically, the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway has been closed for traffic from Pandoh to Aut in Mandi district for the last three days. The Kiratpur–Manali National Highway has also suffered extensive damage at multiple locations, forcing its closure. A large section of the highway near Bindu Dhank, close to Manali, was washed away by the flooded Beas River, completely disrupting traffic between Mandi and Manali.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued alerts for heavy rainfall in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, forecasting continued adverse weather conditions. An orange alert has been issued for several districts, indicating the possibility of very heavy rainfall. The IMD had issued a 'red' alert for Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi, warning of extremely heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours. These warnings have prompted authorities to advise residents and tourists to stay vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel.
In addition to road closures, the heavy rains have caused widespread damage to infrastructure, including power supply transformers and water supply schemes. As many as 1,236 power transformers and 424 water supply schemes have been disrupted, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Disruption of power supply is most severe in Mandi district, followed by Kullu and Sirmaur. Water supply schemes have been heavily impacted in Mandi, Shimla and Kullu.
Efforts are underway to restore connectivity and provide relief to those affected. The administration is sending relief materials to stranded people by helicopter. The State Disaster Management Authority has issued helpline numbers for the convenience of stranded pilgrims. Restoration work is in progress, but officials warn that conditions could worsen if rains intensify. Recurring landslides, continued rainfall, and difficult terrain are hampering operations. Authorities said road clearance, power restoration, and drinking water resupply are being prioritised in the worst-hit areas.
The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has also taken note of the situation, expressing concern over the poor maintenance of highways and cautioning the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) that toll collection could be suspended if urgent corrective steps are not taken.
The ongoing monsoon season has been particularly severe for Himachal Pradesh, with 317 lives lost and significant damage to property. As the state continues to grapple with the aftermath of the heavy rains, the focus remains on rescue and relief efforts, restoring essential services, and mitigating further damage.
