Cloudbursts, landslides continue to batter Himachal, Uttarakhand; schools shut

New Delhi,UPDATED: Jul 1, 2025 09:30 IST

Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand continue to reel under relentless heavy rainfall, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue a red alert for multiple districts in the states.

In Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district, a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall remained in effect on Tuesday as the region battles severe flooding triggered by the swollen Beas River. Morning visuals from Mandi showed the river flowing above danger levels due to incessant downpours.

Multiple landslides have been reported along the Mandi-Manali stretch of the key Chandigarh-Manali highway, disrupting traffic and cutting off access to several areas. Authorities ordered the closure of all educational institutions in Mandi on Tuesday, citing safety concerns. Schools have also been shut in Kangra, Sirmaur, and Solan districts following similar alerts.

The state has reported three more rain-related deaths in the past 24 hours, pushing the monsoon death toll to 23 this season.

The State Emergency Operation Centre has reported that more than 250 roads, many of them in Mandi and Sirmaur districts, have been shut due to cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides. In addition, 614 power transformers and 130 water supply schemes have been affected, causing widespread disruption.

UTTARAKHAND BATTLES MONSOON FURY

Neighbouring Uttarakhand is facing similar challenges. In Haridwar, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit confirmed that continuous heavy to very heavy rain is expected to persist. "We are closely monitoring river levels and have deployed teams to keep people away from the ghats. Announcements are being made in settlements and villages near the river," Dixit said while speaking to news agency ANI.

IMD has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in several hill districts of Uttarakhand for today and tomorrow. The alert covered vulnerable areas such as Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh, where heavy rain is expected.

As a precautionary measure, schools have been closed in multiple districts. In Chamoli, all classes from 1 to 12 will remain shut on July 1. Schools in Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi will also stay closed on Tuesday due to the weather warning.

A mock drill was also conducted on Sunday to check preparedness. Local authorities have been directed to keep resources in readiness and ensure adequate stocks of food and medicines in low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Officials have urged residents in vulnerable regions to remain indoors and cooperate with rescue teams as the weather department has predicted more rain in the coming days.

The weather department, last week, predicted that most parts of the country are likely to receive above-normal rainfall in July and urged people in central India, Uttarakhand and Haryana to stay alert due to the risk of flooding.

Delhi and the adjoining National Capital Region (NCR) also experienced light to moderate rainfall on Monday morning, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds. The downpour brought temperatures down by several degrees and helped improve air quality.

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