Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the impact of recent cloudbursts and flash floods that have disrupted normal life and caused significant damage across the state. As of August 13, 2025, over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed due to these incidents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas from August 11 to August 14, warning of potential landslides, road and rail disruptions, power outages, and waterlogging.
Several districts, including Kullu, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti, have been severely affected by cloudbursts and resulting flash floods. In Kullu district, two cloudbursts were reported in Bagipul and Batahar areas, prompting immediate evacuations of downstream areas. While property damage occurred, no loss of life has been reported in these areas. However, a flash flood above Batahar village swept away three vehicles and damaged four cottages and agricultural land.
In Shimla, a cloudburst in the Nanti area of Rampur triggered a flash flood that washed away two bridges and a police chowki downstream of Ganvi village. This has disrupted road connectivity to Ganvi, and all houses in the village have been vacated. Floodwater also entered many houses and shops, causing a disruption in electricity supply.
Lahaul-Spiti has also faced the brunt of flash floods in Dhodhan, Changut, Udgos, and Karpat villages. These floods have damaged houses and agricultural land. Two bridges were washed away due to floods triggered by cloudbursts in Karpat, Changut and Udgos Nala of the Mayad valley. In Karpat, residents had a narrow escape as floodwater crossed within a few feet of their houses.
The Kullu administration evacuated low-lying areas downstream due to the rising water level of the Tirthan River, which was a result of a flash flood caused by a cloudburst above Batahar village. The Bagipul market in the Nirmand subdivision was also evacuated following a cloudburst in Shrikhand hill that flooded the Kurpan ravine.
The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that a total of 360 roads were closed for vehicular traffic, including the Aut-Sainj road, part of NH-305. Mandi district was the most affected, with 214 roads blocked, followed by Kullu district with 92 blocked roads.
The Meteorological Department had issued a yellow alert for heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms for August 10, and an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall from August 11 to August 14. A yellow alert for heavy rain is expected to remain in effect on August 15. The IMD has also forecast thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit, Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Himachal Pradesh has witnessed 58 flash floods, 30 cloudbursts, and 53 major landslides so far this monsoon season. The state has received 507.3 mm of rainfall, which is 11% above the normal of 445.5 mm for the period from June 1 to August 10.
The recent events underscore the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme rainfall events and the importance of preparedness and mitigation measures to minimize the impact of such disasters. Unplanned development has further exacerbated the risk in the region.
