Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopters evacuated around 350 Manimahesh pilgrims stranded in Himachal Pradesh's Bharmaur area to Chamba on Friday, amid ongoing rescue efforts following devastating landslides and flash floods from late August rains. Chamba Deputy Commissioner Mukesh Repaswal confirmed two IAF choppers are in operation, aiming to airlift all remaining hundreds of pilgrims from the road-isolated Bharmaur constituency by day's end. Since the Manimahesh Yatra began on August 15, 17 pilgrims have died, with unverified reports suggesting a higher toll. The sacred Manimahesh Lake, at 13,000 feet near Kailash peak, attracts thousands annually, but this year's monsoon fury has turned the pilgrimage perilous.

Himachal Pradesh continues to grapple with widespread flooding and landslides. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu conducted an aerial survey of hard-hit Kullu and Manali, directing officials to prioritise road restorations and reopen blocked routes. In Bilaspur's Banali village, 14 families were relocated after a Wednesday landslide caused cracks in homes, rendering them unsafe amid heavy rains.

Statewide, 1,217 roads remain closed, including 281 in Mandi, 261 in Shimla, 231 in Kullu, and 187 in Chamba, per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC). Key national highways like NH-3, NH-5, NH-305, and NH-505 are shut, while Shimla-Kalka trains are cancelled until Friday due to track landslips. Recent rains brought 61.3 mm to Baggi in Mandi, with lighter showers elsewhere. A yellow alert warns of isolated heavy rains on Monday and Tuesday.

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Since the monsoon onset on June 20, Himachal has faced 95 flash floods, 45 cloudbursts, and 132 major landslides, claiming 355 lives with 49 missing. Disruptions affect 1,868 power transformers and 669 water schemes, causing Rs 3,787 crore in losses. Authorities urge caution as recovery efforts intensify.

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