Shimla, June 30
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in four districts of Himachal Pradesh—Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, and Kangra—while a flash flood guidance bulletin has also highlighted a moderate to high risk of flash floods in several watersheds and low-lying areas across Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan districts over the next 24 hours.
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Following the alert, district administrations have ordered closure of all schools on Monday in the red-alert districts. Overnight rains have led to paralysed road connectivity, water supply, and transport services. Though traffic on the Shimla-Kalka highway was restored near Chakki Morh in Solan, landslides and flash floods continue to disrupt movement elsewhere. A major landslide near Arki and falling boulders across several roads have intensified concerns.
Water levels have surged in several dams, including Parvati-II and III, Larji, and Sainj barrage in Kullu. Due to excessive silt, power generation has been temporarily halted at some plants producing up to 1,500 MW. Orange alerts have been issued for Parvati and Sainj projects, and water discharge from Pandoh Dam in Mandi led to warning advisories for residents along Satluj and Beas rivers.
The State Disaster Response Center has cautioned people to stay away from riverbanks and water bodies, as abrupt surges in water levels could lead to mishaps. While dam pond levels remain within permissible limits, many temporary sheds and homes along riverbanks and rivulets have been washed away.
The monsoon has claimed around 40 lives in just ten ddas, with three people still missing—two in Kullu due to a cloudburst and one in Kangra in a flash flood incident. In the last 24 hours alone, 129 roads have been closed due to rain—57 in Sirmaur, 44 in Mandi, and 19 in Kullu. Power outages have hit 612 distribution transformers, mainly in Mandi (340), Lahaul-Spiti (140), and Solan (92).
Numerous water-lifting schemes have also been halted due to electricity disruptions and high turbidity levels in water sources. Persistent rainfall since June 26 has led to widespread inundation and vehicle stranding.
With the IMD forecasting continued rainfall and flash flood risk in many areas through July 1 morning, the administration has urged extreme caution and advised residents in affected zones to remain indoors and avoid venturing near rivers and unstable slopes.
