Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is reeling under a fresh wave of monsoon havoc as torrential rains triggered floods and landslides across several districts. In Kullu-Manali, the rising water of the Beas river caused large-scale destruction last night, washing away two restaurants, three shops, one house, and three kiosks in Manali’s Banhang area.
The situation worsened after swollen rivers changed course, threatening habitation and crucial infrastructure. The Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway has been badly damaged at multiple points, with stretches washed away by floodwaters, severely disrupting connectivity.
Authorities confirmed that Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti districts are completely cut off from the rest of the state. The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA) said communication lines in Chamba district are down, forcing the administration to suspend the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra until conditions improve.
Meanwhile, the State Government declared a holiday today in Chamba and Kangra districts, citing safety concerns amid heavy rains and disruption in road connectivity.
Fuel scarcity has added to the crisis. Petrol pumps across affected districts have almost run dry. With a storage capacity of 25,000 liters, most pumps are left with only 5,000–7,000 liters of petrol and diesel. Authorities have restricted supply to vehicles only, prioritizing essential as 20 liters and 100 liters of fuel are allowed to LMV and HMV and emergency services would get full supply.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in five districts – Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur and Kangra – from August 29 to September 1. Educational institutions in Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Chamba and Bilaspur remained closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure.
Adding to the concerns, the water level of the Pong Dam in Kangra rose above the danger mark yesterday evening, forcing the BBMB authorities to increase the outflow to nearly 80,000 cusecs, raising flood risk in Fatehpur and Indora subdivisions. Around 225 people were rescued from low-lying areas, while 160 people remain stranded in Kullu and Lahaul.
According to the state’s official cumulative monsoon loss report, Himachal Pradesh has already suffered a staggering Rs 2,45,455 lakh (Rs 2,454 crore) worth of damage between June 20 and August 26 this year. At least 310 lives have been lost in rain-related incidents, while over 1,200 houses have been completely destroyed.
With more rain forecast this week, the government has urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. Restoration works are underway, but officials warned that normalcy may take time to return.
