Flash Floods Cut Off Himachal Pradesh’s Key Highways; Mandi–Kullu Worst Hit as Monsoon Toll Climbs to 257
Flash floods have struck Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district, damaging vehicles, disrupting connectivity along the vital Mandi–Kullu stretch of the Chandigarh–Manali highway, and blocking roads at Panarsa; Takoli; and Nagwain.
Authorities have stated that there was no immediate loss of life, but damage to transport, power, and water infrastructure was severe.
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| File Photo Source: Go Himachal |
The death toll from this year’s monsoon season has climbed to 257 since June 20 -- 133 fatalities from landslides, flash floods, and house collapses, and 124 from road accidents.
Mandi has borne the brunt of the latest deluge. District officials reported 203 roads blocked and 458 transformers out of service.
In Kullu, 79 roads were closed, including National Highway 305 at Jhed (Khanag), where a major landslide swept through. Kinnaur, Chamba, and Kangra also reported significant water supply disruptions.
The events underline the dangers of Himalayan monsoons, where sudden cloudbursts can unleash torrents of water on fragile slopes. Unlike gradual flooding in river basins, flash floods in mountainous terrain occur when intense rainfall is funneled down narrow valleys, overwhelming natural drainage and triggering landslides.
Experts warn that the steep topography of Himachal Pradesh — coupled with expanding road networks and settlements -- amplifies risks by destabilising soil and reducing absorption capacity.
Sunday’s incidents saw more than 20 vehicles damaged in Kullu district, with videos from Panarsa showing currents sweeping away belongings within minutes.
In Lahaul-Spiti, outages were reported after high-tension power lines were damaged by rain and slides. Officials said restoration is underway but continuous rainfall and fresh landslides are slowing progress.
National highways including NH-05, which connects Kinnaur to Shimla, and NH-305, linking Kullu to Seraj Valley, remain blocked.
Authorities have issued advisories warning against travel on vulnerable stretches, particularly in Mandi and Kullu, where ground saturation from weeks of rainfall makes slopes prone to collapse.
The monsoon toll illustrates the recurring challenge for India’s Himalayan states. In 2023, Himachal Pradesh witnessed one of its worst flood disasters in decades, when cloudbursts near Shimla and Mandi triggered widespread destruction of bridges, roads, and homes.
This year, while early warnings and evacuations have reduced casualties in some areas, the damage to infrastructure remains extensive, leaving mountain communities isolated for days at a time.
Meteorological officials caution that intermittent rainfall in the coming days may worsen conditions. With the monsoon season stretching into September, flash floods and landslides are likely to remain a serious hazard.