Monsoon Wreaks Havoc in Chamba District
The first spell of the southwest monsoon unleashed chaos across several parts of Chamba district on Wednesday, triggering landslides, flooding homes, damaging agricultural land, and disrupting road connectivity, particularly in Salooni and Churah subdivisions.
Heavy rain that began early in the morning caused multiple landslides, forcing the closure of several key roads, including the Chamba–Salooni–Himgiri Road, the Salooni–Dand Road, and sections of the Chamba–Tissa highway. Commuters, government employees, and schoolchildren faced significant inconvenience as buses remained off the roads and traffic came to a standstill at multiple locations.
Road Closures and Traffic Disruptions
On the Chamba–Tissa highway, traffic was suspended during the morning near Pangola Nullah after the water level rose sharply and brought heavy debris onto the road. The route was reopened in the afternoon after conditions improved. In the tribal Pangi subdivision, the Sach-Sechu Road was blocked after a massive landslide.
Public Works Department officials stated that road restoration work was initiated immediately after the rain subsided. While some roads were reopened by afternoon, others were cleared and restored by evening. Motorists were urged to exercise caution during the monsoon as the risk of landslides and falling rocks remains high across the hilly region.
Homes Damaged in Salooni Subdivision
In Lanot Gram Panchayat of Salooni subdivision, two houses suffered extensive damage after rainwater and debris gushed into the structures. Locals reported that large quantities of mud and debris flowed downhill, accumulated on rooftops, and then entered the houses, damaging both the buildings and household belongings. Despite efforts to divert the flow of water, the increasing volume of runoff made it unsafe for owners to stay inside.
Heavy rain also inundated a shop in Dhutta village, causing damage to goods stored inside. Farmers across the region reported losses to crops and orchards after mud and floodwater entered agricultural fields.
Government Response and Assessment
Lanot Gram Panchayat Pradhan Des Raj said he personally visited the affected families and urged the government to provide immediate financial assistance for the losses suffered. Salooni Tehsildar Abhiraj Singh Thakur confirmed that the local patwari had been directed to assess the damage and prepare a report. “Information about rain-related damage is also being received from other areas. Reports are being compiled so that affected families can receive government relief at the earliest,” Thakur said.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as the monsoon season progresses, with further rain forecast in the region.
