Shimla: Massive Landslide Blocks Himachal Pradesh Highway Amid Heavy Rains

A significant landslide has blocked National Highway 707 near Rohana in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, following intense rainfall in the area. The highway, crucial for connecting Hatkoti and Paonta Sahib, had to be shut down due to the incident. A video capturing the landslide shows a large section of a hill collapsing onto the road, obstructing it with huge rocks.

Recent heavy downpours have led to the closure of over 80 roads across Himachal Pradesh, with districts like Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Kangra being the most severely affected. The Shimla meteorological office has issued a ‘yellow alert’, predicting heavy rains, thunderstorms, and lightning until July 12. Concerns about flash floods loom large over Kangra, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi, Sirmaur, and Shimla districts within the next 24 hours.

Despite the average July rainfall being 35 mm, the state has already received 72.1 mm, marking an excess of 106 percent. In temperature updates, Kukumseri in Lahaul and Spiti recorded a minimum night temperature of 11.6 degrees Celsius, while Chamba saw the highest daytime temperature at 34.1 degrees Celsius.

In neighboring Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also forecasted heavy to extremely heavy rains in the upcoming days. According to the forecast, “Thunderstorms with lightning and intense to very intense spells are likely on July 8-9 in the hills and plains of the state.”