The Kinner Kailash Yatra in Himachal Pradesh, traditionally commencing from Kalpa on August 1, has been tentatively postponed to August 15 due to the devastating flash floods in Himachal Pradesh’s Shimla and Kinnaur districts. The calamitous floods have caused extensive damage to roads, houses, and vehicles, prompting authorities to delay the annual pilgrimage.
The revered Kinner Kailash Yatra concludes at the majestic Kinner Kailash peak, situated at an altitude of 6,050 meters in Kinnaur district. However, this year’s pilgrimage faces uncertainty as the region grapples with the aftermath of the flash floods and cloudburst caused by heavy rains. The Sangla valley in Kinnaur district witnessed 27 vehicles being damaged, while agricultural land in Kamru Panchayat got inundated on Thursday, as reported by Kinnaur Deputy Commissioner Tarul S. Raveesh.
To safeguard residents from further risks, the authorities have closed all schools in the Nichar subdivision and Sangla tehsil for three days due to the incessant downpour. A high alert has been issued in the district until July 25, and people have been advised to stay indoors and remain vigilant.
The monsoon’s onset in Himachal Pradesh on June 24 brought severe repercussions, with 131 lives lost in rain-related incidents, including landslides, flash floods, and road accidents, as reported by the Himachal Pradesh State Emergency Response Centre. The state has incurred a staggering loss of ₹4,985 crore due to the destructive forces of nature.
The local meteorological office has warned of heavy rains at isolated places until July 24, with a potential for low to moderate flash flood risk in Chamba, Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, and Sirmaur districts.
The torrential rains led to a cloudburst, causing the water level in Broni Nallah to rise significantly and inundate the Shimla-Kinnaur National Highway-5 between Rampur and Jhakri. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated efforts to reopen the road for vehicular movement amidst the devastation. Additionally, reports of floods damaging land in Narkanda are emerging.
The state is grappling with extensive road blockages, as around 676 roads remain closed for vehicular movement due to continuous heavy rainfall.
The havoc wreaked by the floods has caused substantial damage to properties, with 578 houses completely destroyed and 4,973 partially damaged. Among the affected properties are 233 shops and 1,463 cowsheds, further exacerbating the overall impact of the disaster in the state.
