Bulldozer Plunges Into 300-Meter-Deep Trench During Road Debris Cleaning in Shimla, Causing Fright
Heavy Rainfall Causes Disaster in Himachal Pradesh
A series of unfortunate events has struck the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, with two significant incidents reported in the Kullu district and Shimla. The Malana-I Hydropower Project dam in Kullu collapsed due to intense monsoon rainfall, causing flash floods that swept away heavy machinery and vehicles [1][3][5].
The dam site had previously suffered damage from flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in July 2024 and July 2023. During the 2025 incident, the cofferdam's retaining wall caved in, leading to heavy discharge, soil erosion along the Malana stream, and the washing away of cranes, dumpers, and other equipment used for restoration work [2].
The primary cause of the dam collapse was the extraordinary and relentless rainfall that overwhelmed the cofferdam's structural capacity [1][2][3].
In a separate incident, a bulldozer plunged 300 meters into a gorge in Shimla after veering off a steep hill road while attempting to clear debris. The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, and reports indicate that the driver's condition is serious [4][6][7].
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in specific parts of Himachal Pradesh on August 4 [8]. This is the latest weather prediction for the state, following a report that covered the period from June 20 to July 31, during which the State Disaster Management Authority of Himachal Pradesh reported a total of 95 rain-related deaths [9].
Despite the chaos, there were no reported casualties in the downstream areas of the Malana-I Hydropower Project dam [10]. However, the incident has caused panic and concern among the local population.
The IMD alert for August 4 is a weather-related warning for Himachal Pradesh, and residents are urged to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the predicted heavy rainfall [11].
References:
- The Hindu
- The Times of India
- NDTV
- India Today
- Hindustan Times
- Outlook India
- The Indian Express
- PTI
- The Indian Express
- The Hindu
- The Times of India
- The heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has not only led to disastrous flash floods at the Malana-I Hydropower Project dam but also resulted in the collapse of the dam, causing the washing away of heavy machinery and vehicles.
- Shocking news from Shimla shows a bulldozer plunging 300 meters into a gorge after veering off a steep hill road, raising concerns about car accidents during heavy rainfall.
- In the realm of general news, the Indian Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rainfall in specific parts of Himachal Pradesh on August 4, urging residents to take necessary precautions for their safety.
- Amidst the chaos and weather-related incidents, no reported casualties have been recorded in the downstream areas of the Malana-I Hydropower Project dam, but the incident has instilled fear and anxiety among the local population.
