Flooding in Sunni after Sutlej swells; bridges, homes affected

Several parts of Sunni in Shimla were waterlogged after a rise in the Sutlej river’s water level, sparking panic among local residents. Triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, the flooding has affected infrastructure and prompted precautionary evacuations.

The water level in the Sutlej rose significantly, submerging a bridge that connects Thali village to Sunni. Another bridge linking Sunni with Karsog has also come under threat. River water entered the premises of the Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in Sunni, along with a nearby park and several residential properties located close to the riverbanks.

As a safety measure, residents of houses situated near the reservoir were evacuated and shifted to safer locations. Authorities have issued advisories urging people to remain cautious as restoration efforts are underway.

Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Sunni, Rakesh Verma, said although the water is now receding, large parts of the town continue to remain waterlogged. He added rehabilitation and restoration operations are in progress, with efforts being made to restore normalcy at the earliest.

In a separate incident, traffic movement on the Panthaghati–Khalini road in Shimla was disrupted for several hours due to a landslide. Debris from the slide blocked the road, halting vehicular movement and causing delays.

The district administration and police teams responded quickly, deploying machinery to clear the debris. In the interim, vehicles travelling towards Shimla via Panthaghati were rerouted through Kasumpti road to ease traffic congestion.

With rainfall continuing to pose challenges in various parts of the state, local authorities remain on high alert, closely monitoring river levels and road conditions to ensure public safety.