Alarm sounding orange in three Himachal districts on Thursday; 325 roads still blocked
Heavy Rain and Flash Floods Cause Havoc in Himachal Pradesh
Heavy rain and flash floods have been wreaking havoc in the state of Himachal Pradesh, causing extensive damage to infrastructure and claiming over 120 lives during the 2025 monsoon season. The unusual surge in western disturbances combined with intense cloudbursts, which are normally a winter phenomenon, has been identified as the primary cause of these disasters.
The local MeT office in Shimla issued an orange alert for three districts in Himachal Pradesh, and a yellow alert was issued for isolated areas in four to six districts from Friday to Sunday. The impact has been severe across the state, with flash floods triggered by cloudbursts in Karpat, Changut, and Udgos Nala of the Mayad valley in Lahaul and Spiti district, leading to two bridges being washed away.
Ranjit Lahauli, a resident of a village, reported that ten bighas of agricultural land were damaged due to flash floods. Some cottages on the bank of the Tirthan River and some vehicles were damaged due to a cloudburst near the Tirthan River. A police post was destroyed following floods in Ganvi Ravine, Shimla district. The Bagipul market was evacuated by the district administration due to the cloudburst in Shrikhand Hill.
Infrastructure damage is extensive, with 325 roads, including two national highways, having been closed in Himachal Pradesh due to the downpour. The Aut-Sainj road (part of NH-305) and the road between Khab and Gramphoo (on NH-505) are among the closed roads. Heavy rains have damaged a bus stand and adjoining shops in Shimla district.
The financial loss due to monsoon-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh has exceeded ₹2,031 crore. Authorities are prioritizing restoration of essential services including roads, power, and water supply, though continuous rainfall and recurring landslides continue to hamper recovery efforts. Residents of Karpat village shifted to safer places anticipating an impending danger.
Public advisories urge caution, restricting unnecessary travel while rescue and road clearance work proceed. Evacuation of vulnerable populations is ongoing amid alerts and rescue operations. Pilgrimage events have been suspended due to unsafe weather.
The district administration is engaged in relief work in the affected areas. The financial loss and the ongoing emergency response highlight the need for effective measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change on the region.
Despite the ongoing monsoon season causing widespread destruction in India, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, the cricket season is set to kick off as scheduled. Meanwhile, the weather in other parts of the country remains a general news topic, with forecasts predicting heavy rainfall across several regions in the coming days.
