Newly married couple killed in Himachal’s Chamba; schools, colleges closed in many parts due to heavy rain

“As per initial reports, Sunny and Pallavi were recently married. Sunny had come with his wife to her parental home. Their bodies were later recovered. The house they were staying in was destroyed,” said Mukesh Repaswal, Deputy Commissioner, Chamba.

“Significant damage has also been reported to roads, bridges, and other infrastructure across the Chamba district. In view of the incessant rain, we have ordered the closure of all educational institutions in the Tissa sub-division of Chamba,” Repaswal added.

In Shimla district, all educational institutions will remain closed Monday in the areas of Kumarsain, Rohru, Jubbal, Chopal, Jalog-Sunni, and Theog. Shimla has been witnessing low visibility since the morning.

As of now, approximately 142 roads, 26 transformers, and 40 drinking water supply schemes remain disrupted across the state.

Meanwhile, an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for the Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, and Sirmaur districts of Himachal Pradesh Monday, and a yellow alert is in place for Chamba, Kullu, and Shimla.

According to the Shimla Meteorological Centre, the orange alert will continue for Solan and Sirmaur on Tuesday, and for Una and Bilaspur on Wednesday, while a yellow alert remains in effect for the other districts.

Poor visibility

No flights operated Sunday at the Kangra, Kullu, and Shimla airports, as poor visibility caused by fog led to the cancellation of all flights. Motorists also faced difficulties.

Traffic on the Mandi-Kullu National Highway has been completely halted due to the heavy rainfall. Falling rocks have been reported at Four Mile, Nine Mile, near the dam, Moon Hotel, and near the flyover, blocking the road since 10 pm Sunday.

Debris and stones falling from the hillsides have made it difficult for the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to deploy its machinery to clear the road, and officials said reopening the highway under these conditions will be risky.

Anil Katoch, Assistant Sub Inspector, Pandoh Police Station, said that NHAI teams are on the site, and will begin clearing the debris as soon as there is some respite from the rain.

The administration has urged the public to use alternative routes and to avoid non-essential travel. Local administration and police teams are closely monitoring the situation, and no risks are being taken concerning traveller safety.

Rivers and streams overflowing in Kullu

In the Kullu district, heavy overnight rain has caused rivers and streams to overflow, and several roads, including NH 305, were blocked due to landslides, disrupting normal life.

The Beas River, along with the Tirthan, Pin Parvati, and Jibhi streams, are flowing close to flood-like levels. The district administration has issued an alert, urging people to remain vigilant and avoid venturing near rivers or streams during the day.