Shimla, July 21 – Continuous heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh has caused widespread disruption to daily life, prompting authorities to close schools and issue weather warnings in multiple districts. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for the next 72 hours in various regions, warning of very heavy rainfall and associated hazards.
Schools Shut Across Multiple Subdivisions
In a precautionary move, educational institutions in several subdivisions have been closed on July 21, including areas in Mandi, Kangra, Chamba, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, and Kullu. Specific locations like Thunag (Mandi), Rohru, Jubbal, Kumarsain, Chopal, and Sunni’s Jalog sub-tehsil in Shimla saw complete shutdowns of schools and anganwadi centers. In Theog, connectivity disruptions also led to the declaration of a holiday by local administration.
Fatalities and Landslides in Chamba
In Sutah village of Chadi Panchayat (Chamba district), a massive boulder collapsed onto a house due to incessant rains, tragically killing a man and a woman. Road transport has been hit hard with landslides reported across key highways:
Mandi–Kullu National Highway sees partial, one-way movement between the 4 Mile and 9 Mile points due to falling rocks and slipperiness.
Pandoh–Aut Road is currently closed.
In Sirmaur, NH-707 (Shillai–Laldhang) and NH-305 (Aut–Luhri) are blocked.
Several roads in upper Shimla remain inaccessible due to ongoing landslides.
Dam Water Released as River Levels Rise
Due to rising water levels, multiple dams are releasing excess water. Kol Dam released water at 10 AM, which is expected to raise river levels by 4–5 meters. Additionally, discharges from Larji Dam and the NJHPS Nathpa Dam into the Sutlej River have prompted officials to issue strict advisories, warning both residents and tourists to stay away from riverbanks and streams.
IMD Issues Continued Alerts
The IMD has issued an orange alert for Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Solan, Mandi, and Sirmaur for July 21. On July 22, the orange alert remains in effect for Solan and Sirmaur, while a yellow alert is in place for other districts. On July 23, Una and Bilaspur will once again be under an orange alert. The weather is expected to remain challenging for the next three days.
Casualty and Damage Report
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, rain-related incidents in the current monsoon season have resulted in:
119 deaths and 215 injuries
34 persons reported missing
Mandi district has reported the highest fatalities (21) and missing persons (27)
Other reported fatalities include: Kangra (19), Kullu (15), Chamba (10), Una, Solan & Hamirpur (9 each), and Shimla & Bilaspur (8 each)
Structural and agricultural damage is also substantial:
377 homes, 264 shops, and 945 cattle sheds have been completely destroyed
733 homes are partially damaged
21,500 poultry birds and 1,288 domestic animals have perished
Mandi remains the worst-affected district with 350 homes, 241 shops, and 767 cattle sheds destroyed
Conclusion
Himachal Pradesh continues to battle severe monsoonal weather, with widespread infrastructural damage, human loss, and disrupted connectivity. The situation remains volatile, and residents are advised to follow local advisories and avoid travel unless absolutely necessary. Emergency services and disaster response teams are working across the affected regions to restore normalcy.
Disclaimer: This article is based on verified reports from local authorities and the Indian Meteorological Department. Readers are advised to follow official channels and local administration updates for real-time information and safety instructions.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment