Tragic Monsoon Havoc in Himachal: Couple Killed, 471 Roads Blocked
Torrential rains trigger landslides, disrupt life across state
Torrential rains wreaked havoc in Himachal Pradesh, claiming the lives of a newlywed couple, Sunny and Pallu, when a boulder crushed their home in Sutanh village, Chamba district, early Monday. The couple was visiting the bride’s parents when the tragedy struck. The state’s meteorological department issued a ‘red’ alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Shimla, Kangra, Chamba, Sirmaur, and Mandi, warning of further disruptions.
Landslides and flash floods blocked 471 roads, with Mandi district hit hardest, reporting 310 closures. National Highway 707, Mandi-Kullu, and Pathankot-Bilaspur highways were obstructed by debris, while the Nakrod-Thalli Bridge in Chamba was washed away. A vehicle was buried under a landslide near Thalot, Mandi, and Shimla’s Jubbarhatti road closure stranded commuters. Additionally, 1,199 power transformers and 676 water supply schemes were disrupted, per the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC).
Schools in Theog, Rohru, Jubbal, Chopal, Kumarsain (Shimla), Thunag, Karsog (Mandi), Ani (Kullu), and Shillai (Sirmaur) were shut, though delayed announcements caused inconvenience. Kangra recorded the highest rainfall at 147.4 mm, followed by Nagrota Suriyan (127.4 mm), Chuwari (118.3 mm), and Mandi (112.4 mm).
Since the monsoon’s onset on June 20, Himachal has reported 72 deaths, 34 missing persons, 34 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 21 landslides, with damages estimated at ₹1,235 crore. Authorities urged residents to avoid travel and stay clear of rivers, as the India Meteorological Department predicts heavy rain until July 23.
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