SHIMLA, July 11: Continuous monsoon showers wreaked havoc across several parts of Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, causing landslides, flooding, infrastructure damage and disruption of road connectivity. The severe weather conditions affected Shimla, Kinnaur and Rampur subdivisions, prompting authorities to intensify monitoring while advising residents to stay away from vulnerable locations and swollen rivers.
One of the major incidents occurred in Shimla’s Bothwell locality near Sanjauli College, where a retaining wall supporting a road gave way after prolonged rainfall. The collapse sent mud, rocks and debris sliding downhill toward residential buildings, raising concerns over the safety of nearby homes.
Officials from the district administration and engineering departments reached the site shortly after the incident to assess structural stability and evaluate the extent of the damage. Preliminary inspections were initiated to determine immediate safety measures for residents living in the affected zone.
Residents blamed ongoing private construction activity in the locality for weakening the hillside. According to local people, excavation work carried out for a building project had destabilised the slope, making it more vulnerable to collapse after days of continuous rainfall. They demanded an immediate suspension of construction work and called for a comprehensive geological survey to assess the area’s long-term safety.
Locals said multiple residential buildings remain vulnerable and several families now face uncertainty as access routes to their homes have either been damaged or completely blocked by debris.
The incident has revived memories of a similar landslide reported from the same location during the previous monsoon season. Residents expressed concern that recurring slope failures indicate a larger issue requiring scientific investigation and stronger preventive measures.
Elsewhere on the outskirts of Shimla, another landslide struck Mohal Rajhana, where large boulders and mud buried parked vehicles. Although no casualties were reported, the incident highlighted the continuing danger posed by unstable hill slopes during the ongoing monsoon.
Heavy rainfall also created a flood like situation in Kinnaur district. Rising water in the Lippa stream overflowed into nearby areas, inundating a single-storey residential structure close to the Lippa bus stand. Several neighbouring houses remain under threat as water levels continue to fluctuate.
The fast-moving floodwater also triggered soil erosion around the bus stand, damaging sections of the road network and making transportation increasingly difficult for residents.
In another major setback, a Bailey bridge near Sangla bus stand collapsed into the Tongtongche stream. Officials had earlier declared the temporary bridge unsafe due to the weakening foundation caused by relentless rainfall. The structure had been installed only last year to maintain connectivity in the region.
The bridge collapse has further isolated several villages and affected daily movement across the area, forcing commuters to seek longer alternative routes where available.
In Rampur subdivision, overflowing streams and damaged rural roads have disrupted transportation to multiple panchayats, including Jagori, Kyao and Kut. Strong currents in local water channels have rendered several crossings unsafe, preventing the movement of residents and essential supplies.
Road infrastructure in the remote Kashapat region has also suffered extensive damage. Continuous erosion and landslide debris have narrowed roadways, making vehicular movement risky and slowing emergency access to remote settlements.
With official restoration work still underway, villagers have begun repairing damaged stretches on their own. Community members have worked together to clear debris and create temporary access paths to restore movement between isolated habitations.
Visuals circulating from affected villages showed local women constructing makeshift crossings over streams using wooden logs and tree branches to reconnect their communities after bridges and footpaths were washed away.
District authorities have appealed to residents to avoid rivers, seasonal streams and landslide-prone slopes until weather conditions improve. The Disaster Management Department has urged the public to strictly follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, officials also cautioned people living near the Parbati River after water from the Pulga Dam at the Parbati-II Hydroelectric Project was released due to increasing reservoir levels. The controlled discharge is expected to raise the river’s flow, prompting authorities to advise people to stay away from riverbanks and low-lying areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department, several parts of Himachal Pradesh recorded significant rainfall over the past 24 hours. Nahan registered the highest rainfall, while Solan, Nagrota Suriyan, Guler, Dhaulakuan, Narkanda, Shimla, Kufri, Sainj, Mashobra and Sarahan also witnessed substantial precipitation.
Weather officials have forecast continued rainfall across several districts and issued a yellow alert for isolated heavy showers until Tuesday. The advisory warns of possible landslides, flash floods, waterlogging and traffic disruptions in vulnerable hill regions.
Temperature variations remained noticeable across the state, with Sundernagar recording the highest daytime temperature, while the high-altitude region of Kukumseri experienced the coldest night.
The latest spell of intense monsoon activity has once again exposed the vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh’s mountainous terrain to landslides and flooding. Authorities continue to monitor sensitive locations closely as emergency teams remain on standby to respond to any further weather-related incidents during the ongoing monsoon season.