Heavy Rain Triggers Flood Threat Across Seven Himachal Districts, Vehicles Buried in Chamba

Shimla: Persistent monsoon showers continued to lash Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, triggering landslides, disrupting essential services and raising the threat of flash floods in several parts of the state. Authorities have warned that heavy rainfall is likely to continue over the coming days, with seven districts facing an increased risk of flooding.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), torrential rain on Monday evening led to widespread disruption across the hill state. A total of 108 roads were blocked due to landslides and flash floods, while 38 drinking water supply schemes and nine electricity transformers were affected, hampering daily life in several regions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has identified Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur and Solan as the districts most vulnerable to flash floods over the next 24 hours. Officials cautioned that saturated soil and rising water levels in rivers, streams and seasonal drains could lead to sudden inundation in low-lying areas.

An orange alert has been issued for isolated areas expected to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall until July 30, with another spell of intense rain forecast for August 3. Residents have been advised to remain alert, avoid riverbanks and landslide prone locations, and follow official weather advisories.

Among the worst-affected areas was Bhariad village in Chamba district, where overflowing seasonal streams changed course following continuous rainfall. The sudden surge of water and debris forced several families to evacuate their homes as a precautionary measure.

A landslide near the Bhariad stretch of the Udaipur-Golthi-Navodaya road buried nearly a dozen vehicles, including cars, trucks and two wheelers, under mud and rocks. Rescue teams were deployed to assess the damage and restore connectivity.

The overflowing Tadoli Nallah caused extensive destruction after carrying large boulders and debris into nearby settlements. A commercial store was completely destroyed, while several houses were inundated, leaving residents struggling to recover belongings and clear accumulated debris. The Sultanpur Nallah also swelled dangerously, adding to the difficulties faced by local communities.

Rainfall remained widespread across Himachal Pradesh during the previous 24 hours. Jot in Chamba district recorded the highest precipitation at 137.8 mm, followed by Naina Devi with 118 mm. Murari Devi received 83 mm, while Ghamroor and Shimla each recorded 58.2 mm. Significant rainfall was also reported from Brahmani, Jogindernagar, Malraon, Olinda, Hamirpur and Nagrota Suriyan.

The heavy rainfall has also disrupted water supply in the state capital. The Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) said water distribution could remain affected for the next few days after a transformer malfunction at Stage-II of the Satluj Water Supply Project, coupled with excessive silt accumulation and flooding at intake points.

Meteorological Centre Shimla scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma said the most intense phase of the current weather system is expected between the night of July 29 and July 31. During this period, many parts of the state are likely to experience continuous light to moderate rainfall, with isolated locations receiving very heavy showers capable of triggering fresh landslides and flash floods.

The state administration has directed district authorities to remain on high alert and ensure emergency response teams are prepared for any weather-related incidents. Travellers have also been urged to check road conditions before beginning their journeys, especially in mountainous regions where landslides remain a major concern.

Since the onset of the southwest monsoon on June 30, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed repeated rain-related disasters. Official figures show that landslides and flash floods have claimed 15 lives so far this season, highlighting the continuing impact of severe weather across the Himalayan state.