TNR News Network
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh continues to struggle in the aftermath of the monsoon devastation that has left the hill state facing widespread landslides, road closures and infrastructure breakdowns.
As of 12 noon on Thursday (September 11, 2025), three national highways and 577 other roads remain closed due to landslides and flooding. In addition, 812 power transformers are out of service and 369 drinking water supply schemes are disrupted.
The districts that are most affected include Kullu (211 roads closed), Mandi (154), Shimla (72), Kangra (42), Chamba (30) and Sirmaur (29). Intermittent rainfall continues in several areas, including Shimla, further hampering relief and restoration work.
Cloudbursts on rise, damages increase to Rs 4,306 cr
The frequency of cloudbursts has seen a sharp increase in recent years, pointing to a worrying trend in the region’s climate. According to official estimates, the state has suffered property damages worth Rs 4,306 crore since the onset of the monsoon on June 20.
The human toll has also been severe as 380 deaths have been reported, including 165 in road accidents, while 40 people are missing and 439 have been injured. As many as 7,212 residential and commercial structures are damaged, 5,612 cowsheds have been destroyed and 1,999 livestock have perished.
Environmental experts warn that incidents of extreme rainfall in the hills have risen by nearly 200 per cent over the past three decades, making such disasters increasingly frequent and destructive.
Flyover collapse cuts off Kullu route, temporary access restored
In a major infrastructure scare, a pillar of the Dwara flyover on the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane highway collapsed around 3 pm on September 10, bringing traffic on the crucial Mandi-Kullu National Highway to a standstill for nearly two hours. A section of the flyover and its girder subsided, triggering immediate response from NHAI and local authorities.
For safety reasons, traffic on the highway was suspended from 9 pm to 6 am. Emergency reinforcement using two steel pillars has allowed partial restoration of the route. However, experts warn this is a temporary fix and the flyover needs urgent reconstruction. Movement through the area is now being strictly monitored by the police, and local residents remain fearful as they navigate daily travel risks.
Weather forecast: Yellow alert issued for heavy rain
According to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, the wet spell is likely to continue until September 17, with yellow alert for heavy rain issued for September 13 and 14 in some regions.
Given the weather-related challenges, Himachal Pradesh University has extended the undergraduate admission deadline for Prak Shastri and other UG courses to September 20. The extension applies to both government and private colleges.
Similarly, admissions to Class XI in state schools have been extended to September 15. The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education made this decision following re-evaluation results in which several students were declared pass, making them eligible for higher classes.
Sardar Patel University, Mandi, has also pushed the final date for UG admissions to September 20, allowing students affected by rain disruptions a second chance.
