Shimla, Apr 17,
Himachal Pradesh was battered by a powerful thunderstorm overnight on April 16–17, unleashing destruction across at least eight districts—Chamba, Dalhousie, Kullu, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Solan and Shimla. The sudden and violent weather system, marked by lightning, intense rainfall, fresh snowfall in upper reaches, and hurricane-like winds gusting up to 100 kmph, disrupted life across the hill state.
Take Free HimachalScape Subscription Complete this form
Choose Your Membership
The 210-kilometre-long squall system uprooted trees, tore down power lines, blew away rooftops, and caused massive infrastructural damage. Half of Shimla plunged into darkness, while power outages continued in large parts of Kangra, Sujanpur, Chamba, Badsar, and Una districts.
Just a day after Himachal Day was celebrated in Pangi on April 15, a flash flood at Jungle Camp along the Pangi-Udaipur road blocked the return of government officials, police personnel, and transport staff to Shimla. Around 66 police personnel, including 29 women constables, and HRTC drivers and conductors were stranded. A night-long rescue operation saw all personnel safely shifted to the Forest Rest House and BRO camp, located 8 km from the blocked site. Road restoration efforts by the Border Roads Organisation were hampered by glacial water surge.
Wind speeds ranging between 50 and 100 kmph ripped through the state, severely damaging the wheat crop in the lower hills and apple orchards in Kullu, Shimla and Chamba. Mango, apricot, peach, cauliflower and pea crops were also hit hard. In Kangra, a wedding event turned into panic as tents were blown away late into the night.
In higher reaches like Lahaul-Spiti, Kinnaur and parts of upper Chamba, fresh snowfall added to woes, with temperatures dropping by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. Rainfall in Shimla and surrounding regions remained moderate but prolonged power outages continued.
Water supply in Shimla dipped to 37.44 MLD from the usual 42 MLD due to storm-related power failure. However, Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Ltd (SJPNL) assured that stored water in tanks at Ridge, Dhalli and Sanjauli would ensure uninterrupted supply.
IMD issues orange alert for April 18–19
With weather turning increasingly unpredictable, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for April 18 and 19 in Chamba, Kullu, Kangra, Shimla, and Lahaul-Spiti, warning of further thunderstorms, hail, and winds up to 50 kmph. A yellow alert remains for the rest of the state.
The storm has once again exposed the vulnerability of Himachal Pradesh’s fragile hill infrastructure to rapid climatic shifts. Authorities remain on high alert, bracing for more inclement weather over the next 48 hours.
