Several areas in Himachal Pradesh were cut off this week as incessant rainfall triggered landslides and left hundreds of roads blocked. Visuals shared online also showed part of the Malana dam in Kullu district collapsing amid flash floods — with a surge of water sweeping away heavy machinery and vehicles. At least 173 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of the monsoon. Many others remain stranded or cut off as continued weather challenges hindered restoration bids.
Footage that has since gone viral on social media showed part of the Malana-I Hydropower Project collapsing amid flash floods. The surge of water swept away heavy machinery (including a hydra crane and a dumper truck) as well as vehicles parked near the dam site.
Reports indicate that the village of Malana was also cut off as heavy currents from the river washed away the only bridge connecting it to the mainland.
Hundreds of roads blocked
According to an update shared by the State Emergency Operation Centre on Saturday morning, 383 roads remain blocked, 747 distribution transformers (DTRs) are disrupted, and 249 water supply schemes are down due to rain-triggered damage. The situation has escalated sharply over the past few days with several national highways and other major routes rendered impassable by landslides and debris. Several interior roads in districts such as Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, and Una also remained inaccessible. Heavy rains have also led to the closure of critical stretches of highways in tribal districts like Lahaul-Spiti, where NH-505 remains shut near Chhatru. NH-305 in Kullu is similarly blocked at Jhed (Khanag) due to landslides.
At least 173 killed
The State Disaster Management Authority has confirmed that 173 people have lost their lives in rain-related incidents and road accidents since the onset of the monsoon. Of these, 95 deaths are directly linked to rain-induced calamities, such as landslides, flash floods, and house collapses. At the same time, 78 have occurred in road accidents, many caused by slippery terrain and poor visibility.
(With inputs from agencies)