Monsoon Fury in Himachal: 468 Roads Blocked, 125 Dead

Shimla, July 21

Relentless heavy rains have once again unleashed chaos across Himachal Pradesh. As of now, 3 national highways and 468 roads are blocked due to landslides, and over 1199 power transformers are down, plunging several areas into darkness. Shimla district has been hit hardest, with roads closed, vehicles buried under debris, and trees uprooted.

In Jubbal’s Antti village, a car was caught under a landslide and treefall but passengers narrowly escaped. A similar incident occurred near Rajiv Gandhi Degree College in Shimla, where a car with three people was buried; one sustained minor injuries. In Sanjauli, fallen trees blocked roads and damaged vehicles, while the Sutlej river swelled dangerously near Sunni due to continuous rainfall.

According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, Mandi has the most roadblocks (310), followed by Sirmaur (52), Chamba (39), and Kullu (33). Several national highways in Mandi and Kullu are also closed. Water supply schemes and electricity have been severely disrupted—595 water schemes are down in Kangra alone.

Rainfall was heaviest in Kangra (147 mm), followed by Nagrota Surian (127 mm), Chuwari (118 mm), and Mandi (113 mm). The IMD has issued an orange alert for today and tomorrow, and yellow alert from July 23–27. Dams like Kol Dam, Larji, and Nathpa have released excess water, raising river levels dangerously.

Multiple subdivisions have shut schools and Anganwadi centres, including Rohru, Jubbal, Kumarsain, Chopal, Sunni, Thunag (Mandi), Ani (Kullu), and Theog.

Tragically, a house in Chamba’s Chadi panchayat was crushed by a boulder, killing a man and woman. So far this monsoon season, 125 deaths have been reported, 215 injured, and 34 missing. Mandi and Kangra each recorded 21 deaths, followed by Kullu (15) and Shimla (11).

In total, 382 houses, 264 shops, and 945 cowsheds have been destroyed. Mandi alone reported 355 house losses and 241 shops damaged. Over 1,296 livestock and 21,500 poultry birds have perished. Estimated total damage so far: ₹1,235 crore.

Authorities urge people to stay alert, avoid unnecessary travel, and follow weather advisories, as the coming days remain critical.