Special State and Weather Reporter, Shimla: The mountainous state of Himachal Pradesh continues to be battered by torrential rains. The active monsoon winds and torrential downpours in several districts have completely disrupted life in the hilly areas. Several parts of the state have reported significant damage due to cloudbursts, rockslides, and landslides. According to the latest data from the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), more than 150 roads in Shimla, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, and Sirmaur districts have been completely blocked for traffic. These include many major state highways and rural connectivity, leaving dozens of remote villages completely cut off from district headquarters. Public Works Department (PWD) teams, using JCB machines, are working to clear debris and restore roads, but the continuous falling of stones and rain are severely disrupting relief and rescue operations.
The Meteorological Center Shimla (IMD Shimla) has issued a “Yellow Alert” for the entire state until August 10, 2026, in view of the ongoing heavy rainfall in the state. According to meteorologists, moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Kangra, and Bilaspur districts in the coming days. Additionally, a strict warning has been issued for lightning and flash floods, accompanied by thunderstorms, in the lower hills and plains. The state’s major rivers—the Beas, Sutlej, Ravi, and Giri—are in spate. Rising water levels in the catchment areas of the Pandoh and Nathapa Jhakri dams are forcing the release of water from the reservoirs, prompting an alert for residents living in low-lying areas.
Landslides have blocked several national highways, rivers are in spate, and the administration has issued strict instructions for tourists.
This rainstorm has not only blocked roads, but also disrupted water supply schemes and dozens of power transformers, leaving local residents facing shortages of drinking water and electricity. Drinking water pipelines have been buried under debris in many locations, severely disrupting water supply. Stones and debris are also falling at various locations on the National Highway (NH-21) leading to Kullu and Manali, leaving vehicles stranded for hours. The threat of landslides continues to loom near Solan and Parwanoo on the Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway (NH-5). The administration has appealed to people to avoid traveling on these sensitive routes unless absolutely necessary.
Given the gravity of the situation, the Himachal Pradesh government and state administration have been put on high alert. Shimla’s Deputy Commissioner and Disaster Management officials have imposed a complete ban on visiting rivers, ravines, and landslide-prone areas. Tourists and local residents from outside states have been strictly warned to avoid stopping in landslide-prone zones and refrain from photographing or filming on the banks of rivers and streams. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been placed on high alert in sensitive districts to respond promptly to any emergencies. The Meteorological Department has warned that the weather will remain bad until August 10th, so be sure to check traffic and weather updates before traveling to the hills.