Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is reeling under fresh bouts of extreme weather, with 325 roads including two national highways closed and several bridges washed away following a series of cloudbursts and flash floods across the state.
The worst-hit areas include Shimla, Lahaul-Spiti, Kullu, and Mandi districts. In Shimla’s Ganvi Ravine, a police post was swept away, while heavy rain damaged a bus stand and adjoining shops. Two bridges collapsed, severing road access to Koot and Kyav panchayats.
In Lahaul-Spiti’s Mayad Valley, cloudbursts in Karpat, Changut, and Udgos Nala destroyed two more bridges, forcing villagers in Karpat to shift to safer areas. Nearly 10 bighas of farmland have been wiped out.
Cloudbursts also struck Shrikhand Hill (Nirmand subdivision), Bathadh Hill (Tirthan Valley, Kullu), and Nanti in Shimla’s Rampur area. The Kurpan Ravine in Kullu overflowed, prompting the evacuation of Bagipul market. Several cottages and vehicles along the Tirthan River were damaged or washed away.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 179 roads in Mandi and 71 in Kullu remain closed. The Aut–Sainj road (NH-305) and Khab–Gramphoo road (NH-505) are among the main highways shut. In Shimla, a fallen tree on the Circular Road near Tolland delayed buses, forcing school children and office-goers to walk.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi on Thursday, and a yellow alert for multiple districts through the weekend.
Since the monsoon began on June 20, Himachal has suffered ₹2,031 crore in losses, with 126 deaths, 36 missing persons, 63 flash floods, 31 cloudbursts, and 57 major landslides reported so far.
Despite the scale of destruction, officials confirmed that no fresh casualties have been recorded in the latest incidents. Relief teams are on the ground assessing damage and restoring connectivity.
