Cloudburst Chaos in Himachal: Flash Floods, Hailstorms, and Snowfall Disrupt Life Across the State
A sudden turn in the weather brought chaos to Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, as a cloudburst in Jagatkhana, part of the Nirmand block in Kullu district, triggered flash floods that swept away nearly 15 vehicles into the Sutlej River. The incident, near Rampur, followed intense rain and hail that also damaged apple orchards, leaving local farmers anxious about their crops.
Rampur subdivision bore the brunt of the storm, with hailstorms pounding several villages. Authorities confirmed that three major roads were blocked due to landslides, though swift restoration efforts ensured all routes were reopened by late night.
In the higher altitudes, winter made a brief return. Rohtang Pass, Pangi, and Bharmour in Chamba were blanketed in fresh snow, while moderate to heavy rain drenched Shimla, Kullu, Lahaul, Chamba, and Dharamshala. Meanwhile, the lower districts like Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and parts of Kangra remained untouched by the storm, basking in sunshine with Una recording a scorching 39.2°C.
The unseasonal rain also disrupted agricultural activities. In Banjar, Ani, and the Koksar valley, garlic harvesting and Rabi crop collection were delayed. Kangra district saw heavy showers from around 3 PM, affecting areas like Dharamshala, Dehra, and Palampur.
Looking ahead, the Meteorological Department has issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for eight districts — Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Mandi, Kullu, Chamba, Kinnaur, and Lahaul-Spiti — with warnings of continued rough weather until May 28. However, the dry spell is expected to persist in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Kangra.
