Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, August 14
Heavy rain since Wednesday night has caused widespread destruction across Himachal Pradesh, with flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides disrupting life in several districts. In Kotkhai’s Khaltoonala, a cloudburst around 3am sent debris surging through a stream, crushing more than six vehicles and burying half of a petrol pump. Staff managed to escape unhurt. Continuous downpours triggered landslides in Shimla, Kullu, Solan and Sirmaur, damaging over 15 vehicles in Shimla alone, while several others were swept away in Kullu.
In Pooh, Kinnaur, a cloudburst near Rampur caused a sudden rise in the Sutlej river, forcing the evacuation of riverside homes. Two market sheds in Rampur were washed away and six more submerged. In Ganvi, floodwaters endangered the local police post, swept away a hydro project bridge, and destroyed 26 temporary shops and stores.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for Chamba, Kangra and Mandi districts and a yellow alert elsewhere, warning that the next 24 hours will be critical.
Rain-triggered landslides and falling trees have blocked roads and damaged property. In Shimla, debris from a swollen drain buried two cars near IGMC hospital, while in Kusumpti a tipper truck was trapped in mud. In Mehli, a fallen tree blocked a road, causing long traffic queues.
Authorities reported that 395 roads remain closed, including National Highway 305, along with 1,593 power transformers and 178 water supply schemes across the state. The worst-hit districts include Mandi (173 roads shut), Kullu (70), Sirmaur (31) and Shimla (47). Several districts, including Lahul-Spiti and Solan, are also facing widespread power and water outages.
