Heavy Rains paralyse Himachal: Beas on edge, 1,500 MW power hit, 34 dead
Shimla, June 29,
After Uttrakhand Heavy rainfall lashed most places of Himachal Pradesh since overnight triggering landslides, blocking roads, halting rail, land and air traffic, and disrupting power generation across the state.
The State faces a severe monsoon crisis with rising water levels in rivers and khads, multiple infrastructure failures, and growing risk to human settlements.
In Mandi district, authorities opened five floodgates of the Pandoh Dam after water levels crossed danger mark. The swollen Beas river is flowing close to danger levels, prompting loudspeaker warnings in Mandi town and surrounding areas like Sandhol, Sujanpur, Nadaun, and Dehra.
This surge would eventually reach Pong Dam and flow downstream to Talwara in Punjab. Juni Khad in Mandi, which merges into the Beas, also swelled suddenly, adding to concerns.
On the Pinjore-Shimla National Highway-5, traffic came to a standstill near Chakki Mor due to a landslide at 6:00 am. Though the debris was cleared and traffic resumed by 8:00 am, long queues caused hours of disruption.
Meanwhile, the Kalka-Shimla rail line also suffered a landslide near Koti, forcing Northern Railway to suspend train operations.
In Shimla, uprooted trees and landslides were reported in several localities. A tree collapsed on two vehicles near Panthaghati-Junga road, causing major damage.
A landslide blocked the Bhattakufar-Chamyana Atal Super Specialities Institute Hospital road, affecting patient movement. In Khalini and Mahli, collapsed dams have endangered residential and government buildings.
Power generation has also taken a hit. Nearly 1,500 MW worth of hydropower projects have suspended operations due to increasing turbidity and partial damage to water diversion systems caused by silt and debris.
According to IMD, flash flood warnings remain in place for 10 districts. Rainfall data shows Jogindernagar received 135 mm, Kasauli 125 mm, Paonta Sahib 116.8 mm, and Shimla 91 mm in 24 hours.
Kahu in Hamirpur had 120 mm, Bijahi 102 mm, Sundernagar 96 mm Ghaghas 92 mm, Shimla: 91 mm, Kufri: 89 mm, Bilaspur 86.6 mm Solan 85.6 mm , Dharampur: 84.2 mm, Sujanpur Tira 79.8 mm, Pandoh 68 mm, Nagrota Suriyan 65.2 mm, Chopal 60.8 mm, Gohar & Murari Devi 60 mm, Kangra: 53.8 mm, Jatton Barrage 51 mm. Authorities have urged people to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone zones, as the state remains on high alert.
State is facing south west monsoon since last eight days and it took as many as 34 lives and rendered loss of around Rs 71 Crore to hill state.
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
