Himachal weather: Boulders hit moving vehicle after landslide in Kullu, 2 injured

TNR News Network
Kullu:
In yet another terrifying reminder of the havoc caused by relentless rains across Himachal Pradesh, two persons were injured late Monday (July 21, 2025) night after heavy boulders fell on their moving pickup truck on the Luhri-Jajer road near Kheni Nullah in Kullu district.

The injured have been identified as Vikrant, a resident of Duraha in Nither, and Rajesh Kumar from Kutwa in Anni. Both were rushed to Khaneri Hospital in Rampur by the police and are reported to be out of danger.

On duty for milk collection, caught in a landslide

The victims were en route to Nither to procure milk from local cattle rearers under the state’s Milkfed programme. Their pickup (HP95A-5777) was passing through the hilly stretch near Kheni Nullah when large rocks and debris suddenly broke loose from the hillside and crashed onto the vehicle. The impact severely damaged the pickup and briefly trapped the occupants.

Passersby immediately alerted the local authorities, who reached the spot and conducted a late-night rescue operation. Despite the challenging weather and terrain, both men were successfully evacuated and given medical attention.

The road remained blocked for nearly 12 hours following the incident and was finally cleared and reopened for traffic around 10 am on Tuesday.

Massive disruptions across state

The Kullu incident is just one among many across Himachal Pradesh where persistent rainfall has led to widespread landslides, infrastructure damage and blocked roads. According to official data, as of 10 am Tuesday, three national highways and over 430 roads were reported closed across the state. Additionally, 534 power transformers and 197 water supply schemes have been disrupted.

Mandi district is the worst hit, with 262 roads blocked and over 200 transformers affected. A major rockfall near the Dawada Flyover on NH-21 has left hundreds of vehicles stranded for hours.

In Solan district, the Arki–Shalaghat road remains completely cut off due to a heavy landslide. Large volumes of mud and rocks have engulfed the road, prompting local authorities to dispatch emergency teams and machinery. However, officials have warned that due to continuous rain and debris volume, it may take considerable time to fully restore the route.

Even Shimla, the state capital, hasn’t been spared. Several incidents of tree falls have been reported within the city, causing power disruptions and minor road closures.

As rainfall continues to batter the region, the Himachal Pradesh government has urged residents and tourists to avoid non-essential travel and stay updated on weather and traffic advisories.