Chamba on High Alert as Monsoon Tragedies Unfold, DC invokes Disaster Management Act
As relentless monsoon rains continue to batter Himachal Pradesh, Chamba district finds itself in a race against time to prevent further disaster. Local authorities have ramped up emergency measures, with the Deputy Commissioner invoking the Disaster Management Act to cancel all leaves of government employees involved in emergency response. Every official is now required to stay at their post, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
This heightened alert comes after a heartbreaking incident in Chadi Panchayat, where a massive boulder—loosened by the downpour—crashed into a home, claiming the lives of a young couple. Their grieving father, Sanju, now faces the unimaginable loss brought on by nature’s fury.
With landslides, flash floods, and collapsing infrastructure posing serious threats, the district is on edge. Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania has postponed his scheduled visit, acknowledging the severity of the situation. Schools and Anganwadi centers in high-risk areas have been shut down to protect children, and several roads have become impassable, including the Nakrod-Thalli bridge, which was swept away by a swollen stream.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert, warning residents to stay away from riverbanks and unstable slopes. The next 72 hours are expected to be critical.
Since the monsoon began on June 20, Himachal Pradesh has suffered 125 deaths and over ₹1,235 crore in damages. With 21 major landslides and 34 flash floods already recorded, Chamba remains one of the hardest-hit regions—its resilience now being tested once again.
