Monsoon fury kills 3 in Himachal, triggers multiple landslides & building collapse

Himachal Pradesh is grappling with severe monsoon conditions as heavy rainfall continues to batter the state, claiming three lives in the past 24 hours and bringing the total monsoon-related death toll since June 20 to 20. The torrential downpour led to the dramatic collapse of a five-storey building in Shimla's Bhattakufar area early Monday morning, captured on video, though fortunately, no casualties were reported as the structure had been evacuated the previous night following an IMD red alert.

The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) confirmed that the three recent fatalities include one drowning each in Una and Bilaspur districts, and one death in Shimla district from falling from a height. The incessant rains have also severely impacted infrastructure, with 129 roads across the state now closed, primarily in Sirmaur (57 roads) and Mandi (44 roads). Power supply has been significantly disrupted, with 612 transformers currently out of service. Additionally, a bridge in Solan's Barotiwala industrial area was washed away, and over 20 houses in Baddi's Shivalik Nagar were flooded, with water reaching up to four feet.

In response to the escalating situation, the Meteorological Department has issued warnings of moderate to high flash-flood risk for 10 districts, including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, and Chamba. Water levels in rivers like Juni Khad and Beas have surged, prompting authorities to advise the public to stay away from riverbanks. The opening of Pandoh dam's spillway gates due to flushing at the Larji dam has further increased the Beas River's water level.

Given the red alert, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directed the closure of all schools in Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur districts for Monday, June 30. Furthermore, train services on the Shimla-Kalka heritage rail line have been suspended due to landslides and fallen trees on the tracks. The state, which witnessed over 550 deaths in the devastating monsoon season of 2023, remains on high alert as officials monitor the situation and appeal for public cooperation.