Munish Sood
MANDI:
Relentless rainfall has once again plunged Himachal Pradesh into crisis, triggering landslides, flash floods and widespread infrastructural damage across multiple districts. The authorities are on high alert as key highways have been closed and educational institutions ordered to shut in severely affected areas.
In Mandi district, particularly in the Seraj valley, continuous downpour has disrupted normal life and travel. The district administration has ordered the closure of schools in the Thunag region as a preventive measure. A formal notification has been issued by the Deputy Commissioner.
The Chandigarh-Manali National Highway is blocked near Kainchi Mod between Pandoh and Aut, affecting vehicular movement on one of the state’s busiest tourist routes. Commuters heading toward Kullu have been advised to take the Katola-Katindi alternate route.
Kullu district witnessed two cloudburst incidents — one in Banjar and another in Anni. These events led to a sharp rise in water levels of local streams. In Banjar, a flash flood in the Gada Gushaini stream swept away hundreds of wooden logs. Videos of the incident have gone viral on social media, highlighting the scale of devastation.
After a brief respite, heavy rainfall has resumed in Manali and its surrounding areas, leading to fresh landslides. Several internal roads in Kullu’s rural belts have been rendered impassable. On National Highway-305 near Jhed in Anni subdivision, a road collapse has disrupted traffic. Similarly, the Ropa-Sainj road in Sainj Valley remains blocked due to landslides.
Due to heavy rainfall, the Anni SDM has ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the Anni sub-division of Kullu district.
In Sirmaur district, the situation remains critical. Rising water levels in the Giri river prompted the opening of four gates of the Giri Jatton Dam. Residents living along the riverbanks have been advised to relocate to safer areas.
A major landslide near Utari village on NH-707 (Paonta Sahib–Shillai road) has led to a complete closure of the route. All schools in the Shillai subdivision have also been closed until further notice.
