A massive cloudburst struck Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district in the early hours of Saturday, leaving several vehicles buried under debris and agricultural lands damaged in Gutrahan village of the Namhol area, Naina Devi constituency. Although no casualties have been reported, the gushing waters carrying mud and rocks swept across farmlands, causing heavy destruction. Local villagers described the incident as one of the most severe in recent years, with thick fog also engulfing Shimla, further complicating travel during school hours. The state’s meteorological department has issued a yellow warning, forecasting heavy rainfall in isolated regions across Himachal for the weekend.

The aftermath of this natural calamity has pushed Himachal into further crisis, with 503 roads including major national highways—Attari-Leh (NH-3), Aut-Sainj (NH-305), and Amritsar-Bhota (NH-503A)—closed for traffic as of Friday evening. The disruption has crippled mobility in many regions, while 953 power transformers and 336 water supply schemes remain out of order due to persistent floods and landslides. Data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reveals that since June 20, monsoon-related incidents and accidents have claimed 386 lives, of which 218 were due to rain-related mishaps and 168 from road accidents.

Officials estimate that Himachal Pradesh has already suffered financial losses worth ₹4,465 crore during this monsoon season alone. The state has received 967.2 mm of rainfall between June 1 and September 12, which is 43 percent higher than the seasonal average of 678.4 mm. Experts warn that the combination of excessive rainfall, fragile terrain, and climate change has made the region increasingly vulnerable to such disasters. With the continuing threat of heavy rains, authorities remain on high alert while residents face uncertainty over the safety of their homes, livelihoods, and essential infrastructure.