Cloudbursts, flash floods batter Himachal; 325 roads shut, army rescues stranded civilians

Shimla: Heavy rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods have wreaked havoc across Himachal Pradesh, washing away bridges, damaging property, and cutting off key road links. Authorities have shut 325 roads, including two national highways, while the India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for very heavy rainfall in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi districts on Thursday.

Bridges swept away
In Shimla district, two bridges were washed away, isolating Koot and Kyav panchayats. A police post in Ganvi Ravine was swept away, and a bus stand along with nearby shops sustained damage. Lahaul and Spiti district also reported the loss of two bridges after cloudbursts hit Karpat, Changut, and Udgos Nala in the Mayad valley. Residents of Karpat village have been moved to safer areas as a precaution.

Cloudbursts struck Shrikhand hill in Nirmand subdivision and Bathadh hill in the Tirthan valley of Kullu district, flooding the Kurpan ravine and forcing the evacuation of Bagipul market. Several riverside cottages were damaged and vehicles swept away, though no casualties have been reported so far.

Roads closed, transport hit
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, Mandi district has the highest number of road closures (179), followed by Kullu (71). The Aut-Sainj stretch of NH-305 and the Khab–Gramphoo section of NH-505 are among the major routes blocked. Fallen trees disrupted early morning traffic in Shimla, forcing students and office-goers to walk part of their journeys.

Army rescues four
In Kinnaur, the Army launched a night-time rescue after flash floods hit Rishi Dogri valley, inundating a bridge over the Sutlej river near an active road construction site. Four civilians, including one injured person, were stranded on the far bank. Braving swift currents and unstable terrain, the Army’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief team evacuated the group, using high-altitude drones to deliver food and water through the night. The injured civilian is now receiving treatment at the Regional Hospital in Reckong Peo.

The Met office has forecast heavy rain in parts of Himachal until Sunday, with the possibility of more flash floods and landslides. Since the onset of the monsoon on June 20, the state has suffered estimated losses of ₹2,031 crore, with 126 deaths, 36 people missing, 63 flash floods, 31 cloudbursts, and 57 major landslides reported.

Authorities have urged residents and tourists to avoid travel to vulnerable areas, as weather conditions remain volatile.