Shimla Flooded, 797 Water Schemes Affected Across Himachal Districts
Shimla and multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh are struggling under the impact of relentless monsoon rainfall, which has severely disrupted essential services. The State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reported 261 road closures, 599 disrupted power transformers, and 797 affected water schemes within 24 hours. Mandi district remains the worst-hit, with dozens of roads and utility services non-functional. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rainfall activity is forecast to persist over the coming days.
Mandi district bore the brunt of the weather disaster, reporting 186 road blockages, 511 disrupted power transformers, and 580 affected water supply schemes. Subdivisions like Dharampur, Seraj, and Thalout are facing mobility paralysis, while power outages in Gohar and widespread disruption of water access in Sundernagar have intensified the crisis. In Kullu, 37 roads were blocked—especially in Nirmand and Banjar—with over 30 water schemes offline. Other districts like Hamirpur saw no major road closures but suffered significant water and power disruptions, notably in Barsar and Hamirpur subdivisions. Kangra reported 12 road closures but minimal impact on electricity and water, while Sirmaur and Chamba each reported nine road blockages and varying degrees of service disruption. The SEOC has been actively circulating updates for coordinated response efforts, as multiple departments race against time to restore connectivity and utilities. Emergency crews have begun clearing routes and assessing damage to critical infrastructure.
Urban centres like Shimla and Solan, though less affected, still saw road blockages and scattered utility failures. Kupvi and Rampur subdivisions in Shimla experienced limited water supply issues, while power systems largely held. In Una and Kinnaur, the disruptions were relatively minor, with only a few roads and transformers impacted. Lahaul & Spiti remained unaffected, offering a rare respite. Despite some variation in damage across districts, the overall pattern reflects a troubling statewide utility breakdown. The state’s disaster management authority has directed all operational agencies, including PWD and HPSEB, to focus on rapid restoration, prioritising densely populated and highly affected zones. Meanwhile, alternate routes are being activated to maintain mobility in isolated areas. Restoration of electricity and water facilities is ongoing, with on-ground teams working round-the-clock amid persistent rain forecasts. Citizens have been urged to avoid risky areas and adhere to safety updates as more rain is expected in the coming days.
The ongoing monsoon has exposed vulnerabilities in Himachal Pradesh’s public utility systems, disrupting basic services for thousands across urban and rural regions. With roads rendered impassable, transformers offline, and water schemes crippled, daily life has been brought to a near standstill in several districts. As restoration crews continue their work under difficult conditions, residents are urged to exercise caution, particularly in low-lying and landslide-prone areas. The SEOC’s coordinated response and regular updates remain crucial as the rainfall is likely to persist. Long-term infrastructure resilience and preventive planning will be essential to handle future monsoon events more effectively.
