Severe Rainfall and Landslides Cause Disruption in Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh is currently facing severe weather conditions, with heavy rainfall leading to landslides and significant damage, particularly in Chamba district. The State Emergency Operations Center reports numerous road closures and disruptions to water supply. An orange alert has been issued for several districts, warning residents of potential flooding and power outages. The situation remains critical as the monsoon continues to impact the region, with authorities urging caution and adherence to weather warnings. Stay updated on the latest developments as the state navigates these challenging conditions.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 28, 2026, 13:36 IST

Impact of Heavy Rainfall in Himachal Pradesh

On July 28, Shimla, the capital of Himachal Pradesh, experienced moderate to heavy rainfall, leading to significant damage in Chamba district due to landslides. Approximately a dozen vehicles and several homes were buried under debris. According to the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC), heavy rainfall on Monday evening resulted in flash floods and landslides, causing 108 roads to be closed across the state, along with 38 drinking water schemes and nine transformers being affected.

The meteorological department has issued a warning for the next 24 hours, indicating a risk of moderate flash floods in some catchment areas across seven of the twelve districts, including Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan. An 'orange alert' has been declared for heavy to very heavy rainfall in four to five districts until July 30 and again on August 3. The weather department uses a four-color system for alerts.

The color codes signify: Green (no action needed), Yellow (monitor closely), Orange (be prepared), and Red (action needed). An 'orange alert' suggests potential power outages and possible disruptions in transport, rail, road, and air travel. A 'red alert' indicates that immediate action is required due to severe weather, which may disrupt transport and power supply, posing risks to public safety.

The meteorological department has cautioned that areas with saturated soil and low-lying regions may experience flooding. Residents are advised to avoid rivers and streams and to heed weather warnings. In the village of Bhariyad in Chamba district, several families were forced to evacuate their homes due to sudden changes in seasonal streams.

Heavy rainfall has caused streams and drainage channels to overflow. Officials reported that a landslide near Bhariyad on the Udaipur-Golthi-Navodaya road buried around a dozen vehicles, including cars, trucks, and two-wheelers, under debris. The landslide resulted in a significant accumulation of rubble on roads and residential areas.

A warehouse was completely destroyed by stones from the swollen Tadolai stream, and debris entered several nearby homes, causing considerable distress for local residents. The Sultanpur stream also swelled, worsening the situation.

Over the past 24 hours, the monsoon remained active in various parts of the state, recording moderate to heavy rainfall. The highest rainfall was noted in Jot, Chamba district, with 137.8 mm, followed by Naina Devi with 118 mm, Murari Devi with 83 mm, and both Ghamroor and Shimla with 58.2 mm each. Other areas like Brahmani received 54.6 mm, Jogindernagar 52 mm, Malraon 47 mm, Olinda 44 mm, Hamirpur 43 mm, and Nagrota Suriyan 42.2 mm.

The Shimla Jal Prabandhan Nigam Limited (SJPNL) announced on Tuesday that the drinking water supply in Shimla may be affected for the next few days due to transformer failures in the Satluj water supply project Stage-2 and heavy siltation and flooding in other water sources. This issue may persist until the transformers are repaired. Meteorological scientist Sandeep Kumar Sharma indicated that rainfall activities could peak from late July 29 to July 31.

During this period, light to moderate rain is expected across many areas, with some locations experiencing heavy to very heavy rainfall. Since June 30 of this monsoon season, landslides and flash floods have resulted in the deaths of 15 individuals in Himachal Pradesh.