A bridge over the Pajer khad in Kinnaur district was damaged on Thursday as water levels surged following heavy rainfall, prompting the evacuation of 13 families from Lippa village. The rising waters, carrying large quantities of muck and boulders, entered around 13 houses, forcing the district administration to shift affected families to a Panchayat Ghar and a nearby school building as a precautionary measure. The bridge linking the village was also damaged after the swollen khad reached its deck, causing waterlogging and disrupting connectivity.
Relief operations and debris clearance
According to the district administration, teams from various departments rushed to the village immediately after receiving information and launched relief operations. Although debris was initially cleared, continuous rainfall led to fresh accumulation, hampering restoration efforts. A video of the incident circulated widely on social media, showing muddy water mixed with debris flowing over the bridge. Local residents urged the administration to expedite debris clearance and restore road connectivity at the earliest.
Deputy Commissioner's statement
Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma said the administration was closely monitoring the situation and advised people to avoid vulnerable locations and areas near water bodies. He noted that Kinnaur, which traditionally received limited rainfall, has witnessed a marked increase in precipitation in recent years due to climate change. The district’s sandy and fragile terrain has become increasingly susceptible to such weather-related incidents, he added. The Deputy Commissioner also recalled that the area had suffered extensive damage during the previous monsoon. Following that incident, the Geological Survey of India conducted a survey and submitted a detailed project report to the state government for long-term restoration and mitigation measures.
Landslide in Shimla
In Shimla, heavy rain triggered a landslide that damaged several parked vehicles. No casualties were reported and teams from the district administration and other agencies were deployed to clear the debris and restore normalcy.
Weather forecast
The wet spell is expected to continue over the coming days. The Meteorological Centre has issued yellow weather warnings for several districts till July 15. On Friday, heavy to moderate rainfall is likely at isolated places in Shimla, Solan, Kangra, Mandi and Sirmaur districts. While minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, the Met office has forecast a rise of 2°C to 4°C in maximum temperatures across the state during the same period.
