Shimla: The Himachal on High Alert has brought heavy rainfall across several districts, triggering cloudbursts, landslides, flash floods, and widespread travel disruptions. The arrival of the monsoon has blocked major highways, damaged infrastructure, and affected thousands of residents across the state.
Moreover, authorities have urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers and landslide-prone areas.
Cloudburst Blocks Leh-Manali Highway
A cloudburst struck Jispa in Lahaul-Spiti on Tuesday night after intense rainfall. The incident blocked the Leh-Manali National Highway, leaving hundreds of vehicles stranded.
Officials stopped vehicles coming from Manali near Keylong to prevent further risks. Fortunately, no casualties were reported in the cloudburst. However, flash floods brought traffic on the highway to a complete halt.
Jispa is located nearly 100 kilometres from Manali.
Woman Dies After Rockfall in Mandi
Heavy rain also turned deadly in Mandi district.
A woman from Nalagarh lost her life after a large rock fell on her near the Shani Temple in Aut. Police confirmed the incident and appealed to travelers to park only at safe locations and exercise extra caution during the monsoon season.
Landslides Close Roads Across Several Districts
The Himachal on High Alert triggered multiple landslides across the state.
In Shimla, a landslide near Happy Home on the Mehli-Shoghi Road blocked traffic on Wednesday morning.
Similarly, continuous rainfall caused landslides near Pagola Nallah in Chamba district, forcing authorities to close the Chamba-Tissa road.
Heavy rain also blocked the Siddhpur-Dharampur Road and the Dharampur-Jogindernagar Road in Mandi district. Meanwhile, road restoration teams have started clearing debris and reopening affected routes.
Flash Floods Damage Crops and Affect Villages
Flash floods created additional problems in Lahaul-Spiti.
Authorities used ropes to help people cross the flooded Jahlma stream safely. Meanwhile, several farmers could not reach their pea and cabbage fields because floodwaters blocked access.
In Padhak village under Ranika Panchayat, floods destroyed nearly five bighas of cabbage crops, causing significant losses to local farmers.
Beas River Water Level Rises
Continuous rainfall and melting snow have raised the water level of the Beas River in Mandi district.
Therefore, local authorities have advised residents and tourists to stay away from rivers, streams, and low-lying areas until weather conditions improve.
45 Roads Closed, Power Supply Hit
According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority, heavy rain closed 45 roads on June 30.
The highest number of road closures occurred in Mandi (28), followed by Kullu (12), Una (2), and Lahaul-Spiti (1).
Officials have already restored many routes. However, 16 roads remain closed. In addition, 84 electricity transformers remain out of service due to the severe weather.
Monsoon Arrives as Paddy Transplantation Begins
Despite the disruption, farmers across Himachal Pradesh have started paddy transplantation, marking the beginning of the state’s agricultural season.
Officials continue to monitor rainfall while emergency teams remain on alert to respond to further weather-related incidents.
Conclusion
The Himachal on High Alert has significantly disrupted normal life across the state. A cloudburst in Jispa, landslides, flash floods, road closures, and one fatality highlight the impact of the monsoon’s arrival. As authorities work to restore roads and essential services, residents have been advised to remain alert and follow official safety advisories until weather conditions stabilize.
Key Points of the news:
- Cloudburst in Jispa blocked the Leh-Manali National Highway, stranding hundreds of vehicles.
- One woman died in Mandi after a rock fell on her during heavy rainfall.
- Landslides and flash floods closed roads in Shimla, Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, and Lahaul-Spiti.
- 45 roads and 84 power transformers were affected due to the monsoon.
- Flash floods damaged crops and disrupted daily life in several districts.
