Heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours led to a massive landslide in Himachal Pradesh, cutting off the remote Pangi Valley from the rest of the state. The landslide occurred along the Sansari-Kullu-Manali road at the border of Chamba and Lahaul-Spiti districts, erasing nearly a 60-metre stretch of the road and making the region completely inaccessible.
Around 40–50 people in private vehicles and taxis became stranded at Sugalwas and Kadu Nullah, forced to spend the night in extremely cold conditions. Eyewitnesses described the impact of the landslide as so severe that it seemed the entire hillside collapsed, leaving no trace of the road and rendering movement impossible even on foot. Authorities have commenced shifting some of the stranded individuals to safer locations.
The Border Roads Organisation has initiated operations to clear the debris and restore connectivity to the isolated valley. The organisation has deployed heavy machinery and personnel to deal with the immense challenges caused by the landslide.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued several weather alerts across the state, predicting ongoing hazardous conditions. An Orange Alert has been declared for the districts of Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, warning of potential hailstorms, thunderstorms, and strong winds reaching 40–60 kmph. A Yellow Alert covers Una, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Chamba, and Sirmaur, indicating similar weather threats.
As the state braces for a prolonged wet spell, forecasted to last till April 13, widespread rainfall is already affecting various regions. Sarahan topped the rainfall chart with 38.5 mm recorded in a single day, and reports are flooding in regarding hailstorms causing significant crop damage, especially in parts of Shimla district. Snowfall may also occur in higher elevations.
The cold snap has intensified across Himachal Pradesh, with Kalpa and Kukumseri registering lows of 0.4°C. Daytime temperatures have plummeted, remaining 3–9°C below normal in several areas, stemming further concerns for the locals and agricultural sectors.
Experts link these weather conditions to a Western Disturbance, with an additional system expected to impact the region starting April 11. As the state continues to face these weather challenges, authorities advise residents and travellers to exercise caution, steer clear of landslide-prone pathways, and heed official weather advisories.
