Rainfall – Himachal Pradesh Faces Landslides and Infrastructure Damage After Heavy Showers

Rainfall – Continuous rainfall across Himachal Pradesh on Saturday disrupted daily life in several districts, triggering landslides, damaging roads and public infrastructure, and increasing the risk of flooding in vulnerable areas. Authorities remained on alert as emergency teams inspected affected locations, while residents were advised to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone zones until weather conditions improve.

Landslide Damages Road Near Shimla

One of the most significant incidents occurred in Shimla city, where a retaining wall beneath a road near Sanjauli College in the Bothwell locality gave way during the early morning hours. The collapse sent large amounts of debris downhill, threatening houses situated below the damaged stretch. Officials from the district administration and other concerned departments quickly reached the site to examine the extent of the damage and assess potential risks to nearby residential buildings.

Residents expressed concern that excavation work linked to a nearby private construction project may have weakened the hillside before the heavy rain. According to local people, the continuous downpour accelerated the slope failure, resulting in the landslide. They urged authorities to suspend construction work immediately and conduct a detailed geological assessment of the area before allowing any further development.

Residents Raise Safety Concerns

People living in the locality said several residential buildings remain vulnerable after the incident. They claimed that access routes to a number of homes had been partially blocked because of the debris, making movement difficult. Locals also recalled that the same location witnessed a similar landslide in June 2025, when rocks and mud rolled downhill and affected nearby houses. They stressed that long-term preventive measures were necessary to avoid repeated incidents during every monsoon season.

Another Landslide Hits Shimla Outskirts

Heavy rainfall also triggered another landslide at Mohal Rajhana on the outskirts of Shimla. Falling rocks, boulders, and soil buried two parked vehicles under debris. While no injuries were reported, the incident highlighted the continuing danger posed by unstable slopes during periods of persistent rainfall. Authorities continued monitoring vulnerable stretches to prevent further damage and ensure public safety.

Flooding and Bridge Collapse in Kinnaur

In Kinnaur district, rising water levels in the Lippa stream created a flood-like situation near the Lippa bus stand. A single-storey house was inundated after the stream overflowed, while several nearby homes faced the threat of flooding. Fast-moving water also eroded soil near the bus stand, damaging sections of the adjoining road and raising concerns over additional structural damage if rainfall continues.

Adding to the disruption, a bailey bridge located near the Sangla bus stand collapsed into the Tongtongche stream after strong water currents weakened the structure. Officials had already declared the bridge unsafe a day earlier. The bridge had been installed only last year, making its collapse a major setback for local connectivity.

Weather Department Issues Yellow Alert

The India Meteorological Department reported substantial rainfall across several parts of the state since Friday evening. Nahan recorded the highest rainfall at 158.9 mm, followed by Solan with 80.2 mm and Nagrota Suriyan with 62.5 mm. The department has issued a yellow alert for isolated areas in Shimla, Kullu, Chamba, Bilaspur, and Sirmaur districts, warning of moderate to heavy rainfall over the coming period.

Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant, stay away from overflowing rivers and seasonal streams, and strictly follow advisories issued by the Disaster Management Department. Authorities are continuing to monitor weather conditions and inspect vulnerable locations as the monsoon remains active across Himachal Pradesh.