Himachal Pradesh monsoon havoc: 173 dead, highways shut, dam collapses; IMD warns of more rain
The slide-scarred districts of Chamba, Kullu, Mandi and Una are worst hit, with local officials warning that many interior routes remain unreachable for repair crews.
ON CAM: Flash Floods Wreak Havoc In Himachal Pradesh's Kullu, Over 20 Vehicles Damaged
Rising death toll
Since the monsoon began,
173 people
have died in the state, according to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
95 fatalities are linked to rain-triggered landslides, flash floods and collapsing homes.
78 deaths have occurred in road accidents, many blamed on slick surfaces and poor visibility.
National highways buried in debris
Key mountain arteries—including NH-305, NH-505, NH-21 and NH-03—are blocked by landslides.
In the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, NH-505 is shut near Chhatru, while NH-305 in Kullu is closed at Jhed (Khanag), cutting off entire valleys for a second straight day.
Cofferdam breach sparks fresh alarm
In Kullu's Parvati Valley, a temporary cofferdam at the Malana-I hydro-electric project collapsed on Friday after debris-choked drainage pipes gave way.
A wall of water swept heavy machinery downstream.
The same project was battered by a flash flood last year.
Dams on high alert
Elsewhere, dam operators are watching water levels hour-by-hour.
Bajoli Holi and Baira dams on the Ravi basin, and Sainj and Largi barrages on the Beas, have halted power generation due to high silt loads.
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Malana-II remains shut with its gates open after Friday's surge.
Kullu: Police personnel keep vigil on the banks after the area near the Sarvari river was evacuated due to an increase in its water level following heavy rainfall, in Kullu, HP. (PTI Photo)
Officials said all reservoirs were within 'permissible limits' as of 17:00 local time on Saturday.
Una district deluge
More than 222 mm of rain pounded Una district overnight, flooding roads, homes and markets.
Kullu: A man looks at the muddy water flowing through the Sarvari River following rainfall, in Kullu. (PTI Photo)
Schools have been closed and residents urged to stay away from swollen rivers.
Relief operations grind on
Engineers have restored some irrigation and sewerage schemes, but full normality may be days away, the SDMA warned, citing further rain in the forecast.
State and district teams continue to clear debris, reopen roads and move stranded villagers to safer ground—yet every fresh cloudburst risks setting the recovery clock back to zero.
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