Torrential downpours of Shrikhand in Shimla and Kullu districts cause severe flash floods, leading to significant damage to infrastructure.
Heavy Floods Cause Chaos in Shimla and Kullu Districts
Floods triggered by heavy rainfall in the Shrikhand hills have caused significant damage in the districts of Shimla and Kullu, resulting in infrastructure destruction, evacuations, and disruptions in connectivity.
In the village of Ganvi, located 160 kilometres from Shimla, a motorable bridge and a pedestrian bridge were swept away by the floodwaters. The police post building in Ganvi was filled with debris, and the village bus stand was destroyed. Suresh, an eyewitness, reported that the evening flood caused significant damage, including the destruction of the bus stand and some shops, and the washing away of two bridges. A HRTC bus and an ambulance are currently stuck on the other side of the Ganvi rivulet.
In the neighbouring village of Koot and Kyav, access has been cut off due to the destruction of two bridges. In the Gram Panchayats of Ganvi, Kiao, and Koot-has, connectivity has been hampered.
In Ganvi, two sheds were washed away, six sheds were flooded, and one house is at risk. No new information about the motorable bridge in Ganvi that collapsed or the safety of people in houses at the upper reaches was provided.
In Kullu district's Nirmand subdivision, floodwaters swept away several pedestrian bridges connecting local villages. The flood in the Kurpan stream occurred due to heavy rainfall near Shrikhand Mahadev and Bhimdwari areas.
In Mandi district, flash floods and cloudbursts led to the loss of footbridges, damage to shops, vehicles, and agricultural land in affected areas such as Shilhabudhani and Tarswan.
Relief and rescue teams have been rushed to the affected areas, and people have been evacuated to safer places. The District Disaster Management Authority confirmed that people in houses at the upper reaches are safe.
Heavy rains have also led to extensive road and power infrastructure disruption across the regions, with 396 roads shut (including major highways NH-305 and NH-05) and hundreds of power transformers and water supply schemes impacted, notably in Mandi, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Shimla districts.
In Shimla city, around 40 people were evacuated safely after a massive landslide near Ramchandra Chowk. Infrastructure damage included the collapse of a bus stand, destruction of adjoining shops, and the washing away of two bridges. A woman died after being hit by a boulder in Rampur subdivision, and a truck accident occurred due to landslide conditions on Mandhar-Palyar Road.
The authorities have issued warnings to avoid travel in vulnerable areas due to ongoing risks. Restoration efforts are ongoing but hampered by continuous rainfall and new landslides.
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Science plays a crucial role in understanding and predicting weather patterns that contribute to extreme events like the heavy rainfall causing flooding in Shimla and Kullu districts. Environmental science, specifically hydrogeology and meteorology, could help in assessing the impact of such disasters on the environment and developing sustainable solutions for infrastructure, bridges, and roadway rebuilding.
