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Shimla, July 10
All government and private schools, colleges, and Anganwadi centers remained closed in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan and Sirmaur districts on Friday as authorities ordered precautionary measures following persistent heavy rainfall and forecasts of more intense showers across the state.
The India Meteorological Department has warned of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in several areas of Himachal Pradesh, with the possibility of landslides, flash floods, uprooted trees, and road blockages posing a threat to public safety.
District administrations in Solan and Sirmaur said continuous rainfall has disrupted rural road connectivity and increased the risk of landslides, making travel unsafe, particularly for students in hilly and remote areas. Officials said the decision to suspend classes was taken to safeguard students and prevent any untoward incidents.
Educational institutions in Paonta subdivision were ordered to remain closed on Thursday night. On Friday morning, similar directions were issued for the Nahan, Sangrah, Pachhad and Rajgarh subdivisions, extending the closure to schools and colleges across Sirmaur district.
According to the Meteorological Department, Pachhad recorded the highest rainfall at 207 mm, followed by Nahan with 158.5 mm, Kasauli with 145 mm and Dharampur with 136.8 mm. Other areas receiving significant rainfall included Solan with 113 mm, Palampur with 109 mm, Jot with 83 mm, Jubberhatti with 72.9 mm, Dhaulakuan with 70 mm, Paonta Sahib with 62.8 mm, Kufri, Bharwain and Ghaghas with 62 mm each, Shillaroo with 60.1 mm, Shimla with 58.8 mm, Kahu with 56.8 mm and Mashobra with 55 mm. Officials clarified that while students were exempted from attending classes, all teaching and non-teaching staff were directed to report to their respective institutions.
Heavy rainfall also disrupted normal life in several parts of the state. Reports said multiple roads in Sirmaur were blocked, while 27 link roads in Shimla district were closed for vehicular traffic. In Shimla city, a wall collapsed near a building in the Vikasnagar area, damaging two parked vehicles. In Brandli village, a house’s retaining wall was damaged, and water entered the campus of the Industrial Training Institute in Sunni, prompting evacuation efforts. Authorities said the administration remains on alert and precautionary measures will continue as heavy rainfall is expected to persist in parts of Himachal Pradesh.
The impact of the prolonged rain was particularly visible in Sirmaur district, where continuous monsoon showers over the past 36 hours caused extensive waterlogging in the Kala Amb industrial area and triggered landslides in several rural parts of Nahan. Officials said no casualties have been reported so far. The water level in the Tons, Yamuna, Bata, Giri and Markanda rivers, along with several seasonal streams, has risen significantly, prompting the administration to advise people to stay away from rivers and other water bodies.
