TNR News Network
Shimla: Torrential rainfall, cloudbursts and recurring landslides across Himachal Pradesh have severely disrupted daily life, with road connectivity in multiple districts taking a major hit. One of the worst-affected areas is the Karsog region of Mandi as it is now completely cut off from the state capital Shimla after the main Karsog-Tattapani-Shimla highway was swept away by the surging Sutlej river.
Heavy rainfall over the past several days has caused most rivers and streams in the state to swell dangerously. The Meteorological Department has issued another warning for heavy rain in many parts of the state today, urging residents to avoid venturing near water bodies.
The critical Karsog-Shimla road passing through Tattapani has been rendered unusable following landslides and portions of the road collapsing into the river. On Sunday, torrential downpours led to the submergence of large sections of the road. By Monday morning, significant parts had broken away entirely, bringing all vehicular movement to a halt. Commuters are now left with no option but to travel on foot through hazardous terrain.
Rising water levels in Sutlej pose growing threat
Continuous rainfall has led to an alarming rise in the water level of the Sutlej. The river’s force has caused severe erosion along the banks in Tattapani, completely destroying stretches of the Karsog-Shimla highway. As a result, the Karsog constituency now stands completely isolated from the state capital. Movement of vehicles remains impossible, and residents are navigating the area on foot, braving landslide-prone paths.
Just a few days ago, the Sunni-Thali bridge was also washed away by the swollen Sutlej, eliminating a key link for residents of Thali and Shakra villages to reach Shimla. With the Tattapani road now gone as well, these villages are left entirely cut off.
Shimla-Mandi road closed indefinitely
Shimla Deputy Commissioner Amit Kashyap confirmed that a section of the Shimla-Mandi highway had been severely damaged due to landslides and subsidence triggered by the overflowing Sutlej. “The road width at RD 51/555 has shrunk to just 1.5 metres, making it unsafe for any vehicular movement,” he said. Consequently, the route has been closed to all vehicles until further notice. The alternate route via Thali bridge is also currently non-functional.
The impact of this natural disaster extends beyond the Karsog constituency, affecting nearby villages in Seraj and Nachan constituencies. With rescue and relief teams struggling to access these areas due to damaged roads, the administration faces major logistical challenges.
