Himachal Pradesh: Heavy Rainfall and Floods Disrupt Transportation, Leave Pilgrims Stranded Heavy rainfall across Himachal Pradesh on Monday triggered widespread disruptions, including the closure of 87 roads and the collapse of an iron bridge in Chamba district, leaving scores of pilgrims stranded. The state’s meteorological department issued an orange alert for Tuesday, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in four districts—Bilaspur, Kangra, Mandi, and Sirmaur. The weather system is expected to persist through August 23, with additional yellow alerts for isolated areas from Wednesday to Friday. The incident in Chamba district involved a rain-induced flood that washed away the iron bridge at Baloth gram panchayat in the Bharmaur region. Around 50 pilgrims, en route to pay homage to Maa Bhagwati Khundhi Wali, were stranded as strong currents destroyed the pathway to the temple. According to former pradhan Pawan Sharma, villagers swiftly constructed a temporary wooden footbridge and assisted the pilgrims in crossing to safety. The pilgrims, part of a traditional practice, typically take a holy dip in Mata Dal Lake on “Jyeshtha Mangalwar” (a Tuesday in the Hindu month of Jyeshtha) and trek 35-40 kilometers on foot to reach the temple. The monsoon season, which began on June 30, has already claimed 80 lives in the state due to rain-related incidents, including 14 fatalities from landslides and one from flash floods. Officials reported economic losses amounting to Rs 994 crore. The state’s Emergency Operations Centre noted that 33 roads were closed in Kullu, followed by 27 in Mandi, 9 in Shimla, 6 in Kangra, and 4 each in Sirmaur and Una, with one road closure in Lahaul and Spiti district.#himachal_pradesh #chamba_district #baloth_gram_panchayat #mata_dal_lake #kalka_shimla_highway
HRTC Bus Accident in Chamba District A severe accident involving an HRTC bus occurred in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on May 2, 2026, when the vehicle suffered a technical malfunction on the Dhulada route. The incident unfolded as the bus was ascending a steep incline, where it abruptly stalled and began reversing. The driver, demonstrating quick thinking, steered the vehicle toward a hillside to prevent it from plunging into a ravine. This decisive action saved the lives of 35 passengers, though several others sustained injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos at the scene. The bus, carrying approximately 35 passengers, came to a halt mid-ascent, then reversed unexpectedly. The driver’s immediate decision to redirect the vehicle toward the hillside resulted in a collision that halted the bus’s descent. The impact triggered panic among the passengers and nearby villagers, leading to widespread fear and confusion. Local residents, already frustrated by the poor condition of the road, expressed anger over the incident, demanding stricter safety measures and accountability from authorities. Authorities responded swiftly. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Chamba, Prayagshu Khachi, and the Revenue Officer (RM), Sulg Kumar, arrived at the scene to address the situation. Khachi assured the villagers that their concerns would be taken seriously, while Kumar confirmed that the bus’s pipe had burst, causing the technical failure. However, Kumar admitted that the delay in responding to the incident was due to a missed phone call, which hindered timely action. Passengers who survived the incident shared their accounts. A woman on board revealed that the bus’s brakes had failed, prompting the driver to act decisively.#hrtc #chamba_district #dhulada_route #prayagshu_khachi #sulg_kumar
