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
