Red alert in Himachal as rain closes 260 roads
Red alert in 3 Himachal Pradesh districts as heavy rain shuts 260 roads amid monsoon chaos
Heavy rainfall has caused serious problems in Himachal Pradesh, with over 260 roads blocked and a red alert issued in three districts — Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi. According to the Meteorological Department, very heavy to extremely heavy rain is expected in these areas on Sunday.
The red alert means people should stay extremely careful, especially those living in landslide-prone or low-lying flood-risk zones. Very heavy rainfall is defined as 115.6 mm to 204.4 mm in one day, while extremely heavy rainfall is anything above 204.4 mm.
Red and orange alerts issued
An orange warning has also been issued for other districts including Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Solan, Shimla, and Kullu. This warning is for heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places. The weather department warned of flash floods, landslides, waterlogging, and damage to buildings, roads, power lines, crops, and water supply services.
People have been asked to avoid rivers, streams, and hilly areas. They are also being advised not to travel unnecessarily during this time, especially through areas with a history of landslides.
Last year, Himachal Pradesh faced one of the worst monsoon seasons, where more than 550 people lost their lives due to landslides, house collapses, and flash floods.
Among all the districts, Mandi has suffered the most. Officials said that 176 out of the total 260 road blockages are in this district alone. In addition to road closures, 10 incidents of flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts were reported in Mandi just on Tuesday. These claimed 14 lives, and search operations are currently on to find 31 people who are still missing.
People in the Karsog area of Mandi were seen standing near piles of mud and debris after a cloudburst triggered flash floods there. Photos from the area show destroyed homes, washed-away fields, and damaged roads.
The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported that around 300 power transformers and 281 water supply systems are affected across the state due to the rains.
Losses cross ₹700 crore
While the official SEOC estimate of damages is ₹541 crore so far, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the actual figure could be much higher — nearly ₹700 crore — as more details are still being gathered from affected areas.
These damages include loss to infrastructure like roads, electricity poles, bridges, houses, government buildings, and agricultural fields. Many schools in the worst-hit areas have been temporarily shut.
The Chief Minister said that government teams and rescue forces are working round-the-clock to restore essential services and help people in need. Relief camps are also being set up for people whose homes have been damaged.
The Meteorological Department shared rainfall data from various towns in the state. Jogindernagar received the highest rainfall with 52 mm since Friday evening. Other areas received slightly less: Nahan and Palampur recorded 28.8 mm each, Paonta Sahib got 21 mm, Una received 18 mm, Berthin saw 17.4 mm, Kangra got 15.6 mm, and Naina Devi recorded 12.6 mm.
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Since the monsoon began on June 20, a total of 72 people have died in the state. Out of these, 45 deaths are directly related to rain-triggered events like cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods.
The weather department has also forecast more rain over the coming days. An orange alert has been issued for Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday in many districts. This means there is a strong chance of more heavy rainfall.
Precautionary measures in place
Authorities are warning people to stay alert and take precautions. Police and local disaster response teams are working closely to handle emergency situations. Relief work is ongoing in badly affected areas like Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and parts of Kangra and Sirmaur.
The administration has deployed heavy machines in several areas to clear landslides and open blocked roads. However, due to continued rainfall and the risk of fresh landslides, the work is slow in some places.
People living near rivers have been advised to move to safer locations if the water level rises further. In low-lying villages, especially near overflowing streams, government teams are visiting door-to-door to warn people and help them move if needed.
Schools in vulnerable areas are being asked to shut temporarily, and exams have been postponed in some districts.
Residents are expressing concern as the rains continue to disrupt daily life. Local shopkeepers in Mandi said their businesses have come to a halt due to road closures. Some farmers have also reported crop damage as fields remain flooded for days.
Community members in villages affected by flash floods and landslides are joining hands with local authorities to clear debris, provide food, and assist stranded families.
In places where people are cut off due to road blockages, rescue teams are using alternate routes and even trekking through forests to deliver supplies.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has assured people that the state government is doing everything possible to manage the situation. He said financial help is being released quickly to affected families and urgent infrastructure repair work is being carried out.
The Chief Minister also appealed to tourists to avoid visiting the state until the situation improves. Himachal is a popular destination in the monsoon, but many routes to hill stations are either closed or too dangerous to travel right now.
District collectors have been asked to keep close watch on weather reports and update people through local radio and loudspeaker announcements.
Himachal Pradesh is facing a severe monsoon crisis this year. The red alert in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Mandi has put the entire administration on high alert.
With 72 deaths already reported and heavy losses to roads and public services, the state is once again fighting to stay safe in the face of nature’s fury. People are advised to follow safety warnings, stay indoors, and cooperate with rescue teams as the rains continue in the days ahead.
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