Himachal on red alert as IMD warns of heavy rains, landslides, flash floods; over 800 roads blocked

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a red alert for Himachal Pradesh, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall over the next two days, raising fears of landslides, flash floods and widespread road closures across the hill state, The Indian Express reported.

According to the IMD, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts are expected to be worst affected, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations. Monsoon activity has remained vigorous, with Bilaspur’s Malraon recording 9 cm rainfall in 24 hours, followed by 8 cm at Naina Devi and RL Bbmb and 7 cm in Chuari (Chamba). Minimum temperatures dipped to 8.2 degree Celsius at Kukumseri, while Bilaspur registered the state’s highest maximum at 32.9 degree Celsius.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s planned visit to Kullu valley on Sunday was cancelled due to the deteriorating weather.

Continuous downpour has severely impacted road connectivity. In Kullu district, NH-03 (Kullu–Manali) was cut off at Shirad Resort after a section was washed away, while several other stretches - Bahang, SASE, Solang Nala–Atal Tunnel Road, Volvo Bus Stand and Green Tax Barrier - remain blocked by landslides and shooting stones, as per The Indian Express.

The District Disaster Management Authority confirmed further disruptions: Bhuntar–Jari Road (blocked at Sarsari), Left Bank Road (Charudu), Aut–Banjar Road (Sharai) and multiple link routes in Banjar and Anni subdivisions.

Across the state, 819 roads have been rendered inaccessible, including three National Highways - NH-03, NH-05 and NH-305. Data accessed by The Indian Express showed Chamba to be worst affected, with 253 routes cut off, followed by Mandi (206) and Kullu (175).

In Mandi, torrential rains damaged a 132 kV Extra High Voltage Line near Pandoh, severely affecting supply to the Bijni substation. “The recent heavy rainfall and landslides have caused severe damage to a 132 kV double circuit (Bijni-Larji-Kagu) Extra High Voltage Line tower near the 9 Mile (Pandoh) area,” said Rajesh Kumar, Executive Engineer of the Mandi Electricity Division, The Indian Express reported.

With consumers facing repeated blackouts, officials said supply is being maintained through alternate lines but admitted to intermittent failures due to ongoing landslides. Repair of the damaged tower is expected to take about a week. Kumar appealed to residents to conserve electricity, using it only for essential purposes, until full restoration is achieved.

The monsoon has battered Himachal Pradesh with 72 per cent excess rainfall this August alone. According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, losses have crossed Rs 3,042 crore, while 320 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents and road accidents this season. More than 4,000 houses have been damaged, either fully or partially, across districts.

In Shimla, a landslide near the Kali Mata temple in Vikasnagar buried two parked vehicles under debris late Sunday night. Traffic was blocked, prompting the administration to deploy JCB machines for clearance. “Locals have been advised to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary movement near the affected zone,” Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Rural) Manjeet Sharma was cited by The Indian Express.

Deputy Commissioners have urged residents and tourists to remain indoors and avoid unnecessary travel. In Mandi, DC Apoorv Devgan stressed: “Heavy rainfall has been forecast for the next 48 hours. People in landslide-prone and riverbank areas must take extra precautions.” Officials say clearance work is ongoing, but recurring landslides and fresh spells of rain continue to slow recovery efforts.