Himachal Rain Havoc: Chandigarh-Manali Highway Shut, Nearly 200 Dead

Heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh has caused widespread damage, blocking the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway between Mandi and Kullu due to continuous landslides and falling rocks. Nearly 200 people have lost their lives so far, and over 30 remain missing. Both government and private properties have suffered severe damage due to the rains.

The Indian Weather Agency has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain in 3 districts of Himachal Pradesh, namely Una, Bilaspur, and Kangra. The situation is being monitored closely as continuous rain increases the risk of more landslides and flash floods.

Due to landslides on the NH-305 Chandigarh-Manali Highway, many vehicles are stranded in a long queue near the Kainchi Mod. Because of the landslides, many vehicles are stuck on the roadway close to Kainchi Mod. Movement along the route remains completely stopped as debris and rocks continue to fall from nearby hills.

Landslides, Blocked Roads, and Property Damage

As per government data records, 266 roads were closed for motor vehicles yesterday, including the Aut to Sainj highway also. One of the landslides happened in the Panthaghati area on the outskirts of Shimla on Sunday night. It blocked the Mehli-Shoghi bypass and damaged some nearby shops due to falling rocks and mud.

According to the local weather agency, several areas have received significant rainfall since Sunday evening. Kausauli recorded 82 mm of rain, 62.6 mm in Naina Devi, 60 mm in Jogindernagar, 49.2 mm in Brahmani, 45.2 mm in Manali, 36.8 mm in Shimla, 29 mm in Guler, 27.2 mm in Mandi, 27 mm in Pandoh, 26.2 mm in Karsog, and 25.5 mm in Sarahan. Mandi district is the worst affected, with 155 road closures. Kullu also saw heavy impacts, with 68 roads blocked due to the bad weather. These areas have recently experienced cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, making road travel highly unsafe.

Massive Losses Since Monsoon Began

Since monsoon rains began on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has suffered damages worth around ₹1,714 crore. So far, 106 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents, and 36 individuals are still unaccounted for. Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that nearly 95 damaged water supply systems have been temporarily restored, offering some relief to local communities.

Fatalities and Structural Damage Rise

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) confirmed that 1,692 houses across the state have been either completely destroyed or partly damaged. So far, the state has seen 54 flash floods, 28 cloudbursts, and 48 major landslides this season. The causes of death reported include 20 from drowning, 19 from accidental falls, 17 due to cloudbursts, eight from flash floods, and six from landslides. The authorities continue to monitor the situation and carry out rescue and repair operations as needed.