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Heavy rain cripples Himachal’s Mandi; over 300 roads, including 2 highways, blocked, schools closed

IMD predicted heavy rainfall in Mandi on Tuesday; over 600 electricity lines have been disrupted; the water level in the Koldam River and Beas River is expected to rise.

3 min readShimlaAug 5, 2025 01:53 PM IST

People move past debris and boulders after a landslide blocked a road at Samletu, in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh

The site, which falls under the Vikhroli Park Site area, has been flagged as a landslide-prone zone and comes under the jurisdiction of the city’s collector. (PTI/Representational)

Torrential rains lashed Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district on Tuesday morning, triggering over a dozen fresh landslides and aggravating the already fragile situation in several disaster-affected areas, including Seraj. Normal life came to a grinding halt as at least 331 roads were reported blocked across the district, including two major National Highways — NH-21 (Mandi-Kullu) near 9 Mile close to the ropeway, and NH-003 (Mandi-Dharampur), obstructed at Kenchi Mod.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Shimla has already issued an orange alert predicting heavy rainfall in Mandi on Tuesday.

Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan told The Indian Express that restoration work had barely kept pace with the damage. “Of the 331 roads blocked today, 148 had just been reopened yesterday by the Public Works Department (PWD) and other departments. The relentless rainfall has undone much of the progress,” he said.

Meanwhile, the number of disrupted electricity lines jumped dramatically to 657 on Tuesday from 22 the previous day. Similarly, 86 water supply schemes also remained non-functional across the district, Devgan said.

Seraj division was worst-hit, with 122 roads blocked, followed by 56 in Thalout, 55 in Karsog, 35 in Dharampur, and smaller numbers in other divisions, including Mandi II (12), Padhar (10), Gohar (10), Nerchowk (14), Sarkaghat (12), Sundernagar (1), and Jogindernagar (2), Devgan said.

Owing to the incessant rainfall and worsening conditions, all government and private schools in Sundernagar subdivision were ordered shut for the day as a precautionary measure.

Spillway gates opened

Hydropower authorities have also issued critical warnings and opened the spillway gates of Koldam Hydropower Station at 8.45 am to discharge excess water. As the water level in the Koldam river is expected to rise by 4-5 metres, residents and tourists have been warned to stay away from the river banks.

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Due to the rising water levels in the Beas River, the Pandoh Dam has also started releasing water from its spillway gates. Authorities are using hooters and public address systems to alert the public and prevent any untoward incidents, said an officer. Disaster management teams remain on high alert as the situation continues to evolve.

So far, the total loss caused by flash-floods and torrential rain in the state has touched Rs 1,753.63 crore, while 106 people have lost their lives in landslides, cloudbursts, and flash-floods in the last one-and-a-half months, according to the Revenue Department records.

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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