Palampur grapples with rain-induced damage

Life in Palampur and its surrounding areas has been thrown into disarray after 48 hours of relentless rainfall. Swollen rivers, rivulets and streams have surged beyond their limits, damaging public property and crippling essential services. Roads have caved in, irrigation channels lie disrupted and large swathes of the region remain in darkness after power transmission lines collapsed under the fury of the storm.

One of the most alarming developments has been on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway near the ancient Shiva temple at Baijnath, just 20 km from Palampur. Cracks have appeared on this vital lifeline, which links Pathankot with Mandi, Kullu, Manali and Leh.

Recognising the risk, authorities have moved swiftly — deploying traffic police to regulate vehicles and closing one lane as a precaution. “We are fully aware of the situation and repair measures will be undertaken soon,” a National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) spokesman assured, underlining the urgency given the highway’s role in ferrying thousands of vehicles daily.

Meanwhile, landslides have left internal roads in Palampur, Jaisinghpur and Sulah choked with debris. Public Works Department teams have been working round the clock to clear blockages and restore traffic, though progress has been slowed by continuous downpours. In the tourist belt, the administration has issued an advisory against traveling to Billing after landslides blocked access at several points.

The HPSEB has also taken a heavy hit, particularly in the remote Chhota Bhanghal area, where villages have endured three days without electricity. “Heavy rain is hampering our restoration efforts,” an HPSEB spokesperson explained.

The lower reaches of Palampur have borne the brunt of the deluge, with streams overflowing and flooding adjoining areas. Officials confirmed that road infrastructure across Palampur, Jaisinghpur, Bhawarna and Baijnath divisions has suffered extensive damage. Water supply schemes of the Irrigation and Public Health Department are also badly affected.

Despite the scale of destruction, no loss of life has been reported so far. Control rooms have been activated at SDM offices in Palampur, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur and Dheera to coordinate emergency response as the region battles nature’s latest onslaught.