Intense monsoon activity has elevated ten districts in Himachal Pradesh to “red alert” status, according to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, and triggered a series of disruptions across the region. The most notable is the suspension of the Shimla–Kalka narrow‑gauge railway—protected under UNESCO heritage—due to fallen boulders and trees on tracks near Solan’s Koti area. With repair efforts already underway, authorities are racing to restore this critical link.
Road infrastructure has also been severely affected. Heavy rainfall triggered a landslide on National Highway‑5 near Koti, obstructing a two‑to‑three‑kilometre stretch and causing significant traffic gridlock. While emergency services have cleared the blockage near Chakki Mod, an alternate route via Jangeshu remains obstructed, disrupting travel to Kasauli and beyond until debris removal is complete.
The threat to infrastructure extends to smaller roads and bridges. A bridge near Barotiwala washed out in Solan district, affecting access to industrial and residential zones around Himuda Complex. Additionally, the Bald River at Baddi has overflowed, inundating over 20 houses in Shivalik Nagar—repeatedly stressed by a lack of drainage infrastructure during monsoons.
Rivers in the central region are swelling dangerously as well. Mandi’s Juni Khad and the Beas River have surged following the controlled release from Pandoh Dam’s five spillway gates. With flows reaching 44,000 cusecs and silt levels soaring to 4,000 ppm, the BBMB has halted power generation at Dehar, and local authorities have urged residents to avoid riverbanks.
Rainfall data from the Meteorological Department paints a stark picture: over 135 mm in Jogindernagar and in excess of 85 mm in Shimla and Solan over the weekend. Similar volumes were also recorded in Bilaspur, Kullu, Kangra, and Una, prompting an orange warning for heavy rainfall and a heightened flood risk across ten districts. Officials warn that flash floods, waterlogging, landslides, and structural damage remain likely threats through July 5.
Alarmingly, the monsoon has already claimed 17 lives and left four missing since its onset on June 20. Roads cut off by debris and closed rail lines have isolated several communities, while residents near fast‑rising rivers face evacuation advisories as part of emergency management protocols.
These rain‑related disruptions illustrate the fragile state of Himalayan infrastructure under extreme weather events. Although the immediate response—road clearance, rail repairs, and community alerts—is swift, it highlights the urgent need for long‑term resilience planning. Strengthening slope stabilisation, urban drainage, early warning systems, and heritage line safeguards are essential to protect residents and maintain connectivity.
As the region braces for intensifying monsoon conditions, the coming days will test Himachal’s response capacity. The convergence of heritage conservation, modern transport safety, and climate adaptation will shape how effectively the state copes with its evolving monsoon realities.
