Road communication disrupted and Main bridge damaged in Baddi Industrial hub due to heavy rainfall
Road communication disrupted and Main bridge damaged in Baddi Industrial hub due to heavy rainfall
Shimla, Aug 23
The tranquil hills of Himachal Pradesh have been hit by a severe blow as incessant rainfall, continuing since last night, has caused widespread havoc. The industrial hub of Baddi, known for its manufacturing prowess, finds itself grappling with a major road communication breakdown and a damaged main bridge.
The industrial community in Baddi is reeling under the impact of a devastating incident. The main bridge that connects Panjore of Haryana to the bustling industrial area of Baddi has suffered substantial damage, rendering it impassable. According to HP Traffic, Tourist & Railways Police, a pillar supporting the Baddi Main Bridge collapsed around 7:00 AM on Wednesday, causing the bridge to bend in the middle.
In light of this dire situation, the District Traffic Police have issued a stern advisory to commuters and industrial units. The affected portion of the highway has been deemed permanently closed at the Baddi Main Barrier Bridge. Even pedestrian movement is prohibited. To facilitate movement, authorities have suggested an alternate route through Maranwala Barotiwala for accessing the Baddi, Browtiwal, and Nalagarh industrial areas.
The ramifications of this infrastructure catastrophe extend beyond Baddi. The heart of the state, Shimla, and the vital Industrial area of Solan district have been effectively cut off from the rest of the state and the country.
NH 5 closed
The District Administration of Solan has also taken a proactive approach by issuing instructions. NH 05, the highway connecting Shimla to Chandigarh, has been closed for all types of vehicles at Chaki Mod. Several alternative routes are also inaccessible due to landslides at multiple locations.
The relentless rainfall has caused extensive road closures across Shimla district. The district administration reports that NH-5 between Parwanoo and Solan is blocked. However, NH 205 has been temporarily opened at Ghanndal Valley Bridge for light motor vehicles weighing less than 20 tons. Roads like Narkanda-Nankhari and Nankhari-Nirath remain blocked as well. The list of disrupted routes in Shimla district includes Sunni-Rampur, Boilueganj-Summerhill, Tutikandi-Phagli, Khalini, Bemoli to Tallland, Mehli-Junga, Mehli-Badagoan-Shoghi, Chhota Shimla-Oakover, Kasumpti & Perimahal, Kasumpti-SDO complex-Vikasnagar, and Police Line Kaithu
The heavy vehicle routes of Narkanda-Tikkar, Kharpathar-Tikkar, and Gumma-Baghi are also affected, with closures due to the inclement weather. Even the vital Shimla-Airport road has been disrupted at multiple points.
Solan district also faced the brunt of nature’s fury as flash floods disrupted the Santhu-Lower Thadi roads, causing two vehicles to veer off the road and tangle in the aftermath.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for ten districts in Himachal Pradesh, indicating the severity of the situation. An orange warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall in numerous places has been given. The districts of Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur, Una, Hamirpur, Mandi, and Kangra are expected to experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. Additionally, Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Lahul and Spiti districts may face heavy to very heavy rainfall in isolated areas.
As the rain continues to pour relentlessly, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, both Solan and Shimla districts are witnessing unprecedented levels of rainfall over the past 12 hours. This weather disruption has significantly disrupted normal life in these regions.
The IMD further predicts that moderate to heavy rainfall, coupled with thunderstorms, will persist in most parts of the state. Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in select districts, and isolated areas may experience heavy to very heavy rainfall for the next 2 to 3 hours.
Residents and authorities are urged to exercise caution, adhere to safety protocols, and stay updated with official communications as the region navigates through this challenging weather event. The road communication breakdown in Baddi and the extensive disruptions in Shimla and Solan stand as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of even the most resilient infrastructure in the face of Mother Nature’s fury
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.
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