Heavy Rain Batters Himachal: Over 150 Roads Shut, Wet Spell Likely Till August 10

Relentless monsoon showers continued to disrupt normal life across Himachal Pradesh, with 153 roads closed, water supply schemes affected and power infrastructure damaged as heavy rain battered several districts. The India Meteorological Department (MeT) has issued a yellow alert for isolated heavy rainfall across the state until August 10, warning residents to remain cautious.

According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), 153 roads remained blocked for vehicular movement on Tuesday evening. The rainfall also disrupted 58 water supply schemes and damaged 191 power transformers, affecting essential services in multiple districts.

Mandi reported the highest number of road closures at 51, followed by Sirmaur (39), Kullu (36), Shimla (15), Kangra and Chamba (five each), and Una (two).

Several areas recorded intense rainfall over the past 24 hours. Nahan received 182.4 mm of rain, while Dadahu recorded 142 mm and Naina Devi measured 140.8 mm. Significant rainfall was also reported from Jatton Barrage (70.4 mm), Dhaulakuan (68.5 mm), Malroan (64.2 mm) and Olinda (60.6 mm).

A potentially tragic incident was prevented in Sirmaur district, where 25 members of four Gujjar nomadic families were rescued after becoming stranded in the swelling Jalmusha river near Katasan Temple, around 25 kilometres from Nahan.

According to Sirmaur Superintendent of Police NS Negi, police personnel and Home Guard teams formed a human chain using ropes to safely evacuate the trapped people as water levels rose rapidly following heavy rain.

Weather conditions also brought a noticeable temperature contrast across the state. Kukumseri recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 12.1 degrees Celsius, while Hamirpur remained the hottest location during the day with a maximum temperature of 32 degrees Celsius.

Authorities have advised residents, commuters and tourists to stay updated on weather forecasts and avoid vulnerable routes as the ongoing wet spell is expected to keep conditions unstable over the coming days.