Monsoon Fury Grips Himachal: Three Feared Buried in Sirmaur Mine Landslide
Heavy monsoon rains once again brought large parts of Himachal Pradesh to a standstill on Tuesday, triggering landslides, cloudbursts, rockfalls and flash runoff that disrupted daily life, damaged infrastructure and raised fresh safety concerns across several districts. The most alarming incident was reported from Sirmaur, where three labourers are feared trapped under debris after a landslide struck a limestone mine.
The relentless rain not only hampered rescue efforts but also affected road and rail connectivity, stranded travellers and exposed the vulnerability of ageing public infrastructure.
Desperate Rescue Efforts Underway in Sirmaur
A major landslide hit a limestone mine in the Bangran Dhar mining area of Kafota subdivision in Sirmaur district, burying three labourers beneath a massive mound of debris. A truck and an L&T machine were also caught in the slide.
According to reports, the trapped workers include a resident of Hevna village in Kamrau tehsil and two migrant labourers. Rescue teams from the administration, police and emergency services rushed to the site, but continuous movement of loose debris has made the operation both difficult and dangerous.
The area is known for its landslide-prone terrain, forcing rescuers to proceed with extreme caution. Reports indicate that while official mining activities had been suspended, some workers had entered the site to retrieve equipment when the slope suddenly gave way.
Schoolgirl Injured After Classroom Ceiling Plaster Falls
In another disturbing incident from Sirmaur district, a young student was seriously injured when plaster from the roof of a classroom at Government Primary School Lagnu in the Sangrah area suddenly collapsed.
The girl sustained head injuries and required 11 stitches after the debris fell on her during class hours. Teachers immediately rushed her to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns about the condition of ageing government school buildings. Parents and local residents have demanded urgent inspections and repairs, particularly as continuous rains increase the risk of structural damage.
Cloudburst Cuts Off Road in Lahaul-Spiti
The harsh weather also impacted Lahaul-Spiti, where a cloudburst washed away a road, leaving pilgrims on their way to the Neelkanth Yatra and local farmers stranded with their vehicles.
The incident underlined the fragile nature of road connectivity in the tribal district, where intense rainfall can quickly trigger flash floods and damage mountain roads. Travellers were forced to halt their journeys as authorities assessed the extent of the damage.
Landslides and Flooding Trouble Shimla and Mandi
In Mandi district, falling rocks disrupted traffic on NH-3, creating inconvenience for commuters and transport operators. Meanwhile, 43 students and 12 teachers of Matar School remained stranded for nearly three hours after water levels in a nearby stream rose suddenly following heavy rainfall.
Shimla too faced multiple weather-related challenges. Landslides were reported in areas including Tutu, while trees uprooted by strong winds and rain blocked roads in Summer Hill and Chhota Shimla.
Overflowing drains led to water entering several homes, causing distress to residents and disrupting normal life. Commuters struggled with traffic snarls and road blockages as rain continued through the evening.
With the Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert for heavy rainfall, authorities urged residents to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas.
Essential Services Hit Across the State
According to the State Disaster Management Authority, the ongoing spell of rain had affected 88 roads, 19 drinking-water schemes and 12 electricity transformers across Himachal Pradesh by Tuesday evening.
Districts such as Mandi, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti and Sirmaur have been among the worst affected, with landslides, falling rocks and heavy runoff repeatedly disrupting transport links and essential services.
The recurring damage has once again exposed the challenges of maintaining infrastructure in a mountainous state that faces increasing weather-related risks during the monsoon season.
Kalka-Shimla Railway Services Disrupted
The famous Kalka-Shimla heritage railway line also felt the impact of the adverse weather. Four train services were cancelled after debris accumulated on the tracks, making operations unsafe.
The railway route, known for its scenic beauty, often faces disruptions during the monsoon due to landslides and falling rocks. The cancellations left many passengers and tourists scrambling for alternative travel arrangements.
Monsoon Death Toll Nears 200
The cumulative impact of this year’s monsoon has been severe and heartbreaking. Official figures show that between June 30 and August 18, rain-related disasters claimed 197 lives across Himachal Pradesh, while 313 people suffered injuries.
The destruction has extended beyond human casualties. Dozens of homes have been destroyed, hundreds more damaged, and significant losses have been reported to shops, cattle sheds and livestock.
Authorities estimate the financial losses caused by monsoon-related disasters have now crossed ₹1,001 crore, reflecting the enormous toll the season has taken on the state’s economy and infrastructure.
As forecasts continue to predict more rainfall, the coming days are likely to remain challenging for residents, rescue agencies and local administrations already stretched by one of the most destructive monsoon seasons in recent years.
