- Heavy rainfall and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh caused landslides, road blockages, power outages, and flash floods, disrupting daily life.
- Bridges and roads were damaged, stranding vehicles and cutting off connectivity.
- IMD has issued a red alert, leading to the closure of educational institutions across several districts.
Amid heavy rainfall, Himachal Pradesh has been severely affected, with cloudbursts and incessant rains causing widespread disruption. The situation has resulted in landslides, road blockages, power outages, traffic disruptions, and the closure of schools, impacting daily life across several areas.
On Monday, three cloudbursts occurred in the tribal subdivision of Pangi in Chamba district. Following the cloudbursts in Hilu, Udeen, and Thandal areas, sudden flash floods swept through local streams, causing extensive damage in the surrounding regions.
Small bridges constructed over the Udeen and Hilu streams have also been damaged, affecting the movement of local residents. Roads have suffered major damage as well. During the sudden flooding, people were forced to run to safety to protect their lives.
Temporary Bridge Washed Away in Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba District
A bridge over the Tubar Nallah was also damaged by powerful torrents, cutting off road connectivity to forward posts of the Army and the ITBP.
In Lahaul-Spiti district, a temporary bridge was washed away following flooding in Jahalma Nallah. As a result, the Tandi-Sansari road has been blocked, disrupting connectivity between the Udaipur subdivision and Pangi with the Lahaul Valley.
Following the collapse of the bridge, hundreds of vehicles were stranded on both sides of the stream. Trucks carrying peas have also been stuck due to the road closure, adding to the difficulties faced by farmers. The water level in the stream continues to remain dangerously high.
Debris Blocks Chandrabhaga River Floodwaters Damage Crops
A massive amount of debris carried by floodwaters has flowed downstream, leading to the formation of a lake-like blockage in the Chandrabhaga River. Due to the rising water accumulation in the river, the Jobrang Bridge has also been submerged, creating further problems for residents of Jobrang, Rape, and Rashel villages.
In Pangi, flash floods have severely damaged cash crops and seasonal crops in Hilu, Udeen, and Thandal villages. Strong water currents have washed away standing crops and damaged agricultural land, causing significant financial losses for farmers.
Meanwhile, all educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts will remain closed on July 20 and 21 in view of the red alert issued by the weather department, officials said on Monday.
The closure will apply to all schools, colleges, vocational and technical training institutes, anganwadi centres, creches, the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, and the Sanskrit University at Balyahar in Kangra district, according to an order issued late on Sunday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red warning for heavy rainfall in Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts on Monday and for Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, and Sirmaur districts on Tuesday.