Himachal on Edge: Relentless Rains Bring Warnings, Rising Rivers, and Growing Worries

The rains just won’t stop in Himachal Pradesh—and neither will the concern. As the monsoon continues to lash the state, forecasts show little sign of relief before August 6. While a brief lull is expected from August 1 to 3, even that window may bring light to moderate showers in several areas.

Districts on Alert, Communities on Guard

Today, the Meteorological Department has issued Orange and Yellow alerts for heavy rainfall in districts like Shimla, Solan, Kangra, Sirmaur, and Chamba. The rest of the state remains under a Yellow alert. Since the monsoon arrived on June 20, the rain has been relentless, with Mandi district particularly hard-hit.

“In the last 24 hours, Kangra, Mandi, and Kullu saw the heaviest rainfall,” said Sandeep Sharma, a scientist at the Shimla Meteorological Centre. “Even today, some areas may experience heavy rain, especially in Chamba, Kangra, and Mandi.”

Monsoon to Regain Strength After August 4

While the first few days of August may offer a slight breather, the monsoon is expected to pick up pace again from August 4. Heavy rain is likely across most districts, especially Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, Kangra, Mandi, Kullu, and Sirmaur. Shimla has already recorded the highest rainfall in July.

Beas River Swells, Threatens Shops and Roads

In Manali and surrounding areas, the Beas River is swelling dangerously due to continuous rain. Shops and roads between Palchan and Kullu are under threat, and the foundation of the Nehru Kund bridge was reportedly at risk after last night’s downpour. Local authorities, including the DC and MLA, rushed to the scene, deploying teams to divert the river’s flow.

“The water level rose sharply, endangering shops near Bahang,” said Kullu DC Torul S. Ravish. “We evacuated the area and urged people to stay away from rivers and streams. The road to Keylong via Atal Tunnel has also been damaged near Dhundi, allowing only small vehicles to pass. Larger vehicles are being rerouted through Rohtang Pass.”