Torrential overnight rains lashed Himachal Pradesh, unleashing a wave of floods and landslides that disrupted daily life and caused significant damage across the state. Officials reported widespread impacts, including the submersion of a key bus stand in the Mandi district and the blockage of vital roads in Shimla. The downpour, part of the lingering monsoon season, exacerbated the region's vulnerability to natural disasters, with reports of structural collapses and potential casualties emerging as rescue operations intensify.

In Dharampur, Mandi district, floods surged through the Son and Bharand drains, inundating the local bus stand and wreaking havoc on nearby infrastructure. Over 20 buses belonging to the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) were submerged, while a workshop, pump house, and several shops sustained severe damage. The flooding caught residents off guard in the early hours, leading to frantic evacuations and highlighting the inadequacies in drainage systems during extreme weather events. No immediate casualties were confirmed from this area, but authorities are assessing the full extent of losses.

Shimla, the state capital, faced its own challenges as a landslide near the Himland area buried several vehicles and blocked the main circular road, causing major traffic snarls. School-going children were particularly affected, with delays and disruptions to their commutes. Additionally, reports surfaced of a house collapsing under the weight of debris from a landslide, leaving occupants potentially buried. Emergency teams rushed to the site, but details on injuries or fatalities remain unverified as digging operations continue amid unstable terrain.

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Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri addressed the crisis via a Facebook post, confirming the extensive damage in Dharampur, including the bus stand, over two dozen HRTC buses, shops, pump house, and workshop. He assured the public of coordinated relief efforts by the state administration. Himachal Pradesh, nestled in the Himalayas, has endured a particularly harsh monsoon this year, with previous incidents claiming lives and displacing thousands. Meteorologists warn of continued heavy showers, prompting heightened alerts and calls for preparedness in this ecologically sensitive zone.

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