Torrential Rains in Himachal Isolate Towns and Displace Hundreds
The relentless rain in Himachal Pradesh this past week isn’t just a statistic; it’s a reality of washed-away homes, stranded pilgrims, and communities cut off from the world. While the official numbers are staggering—396% above average rainfall in Chamba—the true story is written in the mud and rubble across the state.
Chamba district has borne the brunt of nature’s fury. What was a normal of 47.9 mm of rain became a devastating 237.5 mm, transforming rivers into torrents. The Rabi river swallowed seven houses whole, while the sacred Manimahesh yatra has been left stranded, with pilgrims unable to move. For hundreds of residents, the familiar landscape has become a place of displacement and isolation, with large stretches of the district completely severed from the outside world. Even the lifeline of mobile and internet connectivity has been snapped, deepening the sense of crisis.
The distress echoes in Kullu, which recorded 334% excess rain. Landslides have severed vital road links, leaving the district disconnected. The famous Chandigarh-Manali highway is closed, the Manali-Leh route is damaged, and tourists find themselves stranded. The simple movement of people and essential supplies has become a major challenge.
The crisis is statewide. From Una to Lahaul-Spiti, district after district reported rainfall surpluses well over 200%. The sheer volume of water has saturated the fragile Himalayan slopes, triggering landslides that have damaged over 1,000 roads and two bridges in just two days, causing estimated losses of Rs. 155 crore.
The impact is felt far beyond infrastructure. As PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh highlighted, a journey from Mandi to Kullu that once took a short drive now takes up to 12 grueling hours. This disruption is crippling tourism and devastating farmers, whose perishable harvests of flowers and vegetables cannot reach the market.
With rivers running high and the ground unable to absorb more water, authorities are in a race against time to clear highways and provide relief. But as the rain-heavy clouds linger over the mountains, the full extent of the heartbreak and damage is yet to be fully known. For the people of Himachal, the struggle is now about basic survival and waiting for the world to find a way back in.
