Monsoon fury wreaks havoc again: Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti cut off, highways damaged, fuel crisis deepens
Shimla, Aug 27,
Himachal Pradesh is battling another wave of monsoon devastation as relentless rains unleashed floods and landslides, leaving several districts reeling under destruction and disconnection.
In Kullu-Manali, the Beas river surged late Tuesday night, sweeping away two restaurants, three shops, a house, and kiosks in Manali’s Banhang locality. The river’s changing course has endangered nearby habitations and vital infrastructure.
The Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway, considered a lifeline for the region, has suffered massive damage at multiple stretches, crippling connectivity. With major links snapped, Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti remain cut off from the rest of the state. Communication lines in Chamba have also collapsed, forcing the administration to halt the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra until conditions stabilize.
Amid safety concerns, the State Government declared a holiday on Wednesday in Chamba and Kangra districts. Schools and colleges in Shimla, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Chamba, and Bilaspur also remained closed.
Adding to the chaos, fuel scarcity has hit the hill state hard. Petrol pumps across rain-battered districts are running dry, with stocks reduced to barely 5,000–7,000 litres against the usual 25,000-litre storage. Authorities have imposed strict supply caps—20 litres for LMVs and 100 litres for HMVs—while ensuring uninterrupted supply for emergency services.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, and Kangra districts from August 29 to September 1. Officials fear fresh flash floods and landslides as saturated soil and overflowing rivers intensify the risk.
In Kangra, the Pong Dam’s water level crossed the danger mark on Tuesday evening. To ease pressure, BBMB authorities released nearly 80,000 cusecs of water, increasing flood threat in Fatehpur and Indora. While 225 people were evacuated from low-lying villages, nearly 160 remain stranded in Kullu and Lahaul, awaiting rescue.
According to the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), cumulative monsoon damages between June 20 and August 26 have already crossed ₹2,454 crore. The toll stands at 310 lives lost, with over 1,200 houses completely destroyed.
With fresh rain spells looming, the government has urged citizens to avoid non-essential travel and stay alert. Restoration works are underway, but officials cautioned that normalcy may take weeks to return.
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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.
