Rain-battered Kullu battles blackouts, landslides & isolation

The cloudburst that struck Himachal’s Kullu district on June 25 has left a trail of devastation, with incessant rainfall triggering landslides, power outages and isolating entire villages. As the India Meteorological Department warns of continued heavy rain till July 13, rural communities, officials and emergency teams are racing against time to restore connectivity and safeguard lives.

In the worst-hit Seraj region, 10 key roads remain buried under landslide debris, cutting off access to markets, schools and health services. In Banjar, three main routes have become impassable, forcing residents into long, dangerous treks across slippery slopes. This transport paralysis is delaying emergency aid, food supplies and medical outreach.

Power infrastructure has also collapsed. Twenty-five villages are in complete darkness after 20 transformers failed—nine in Bahu and Sainj of Banjar and 11 more in Malana, Jari and Rasol of Kullu. Repair teams are struggling to access remote areas due to damaged roads and continued downpours.

Agriculture, the backbone of Kullu’s economy, has taken a direct hit. Harvest-ready crops like tomatoes, peas, cabbage and pears lie rotting in waterlogged fields. Farmers are unable to transport even salvageable produce to markets, facing rising losses and mounting debt. With each day of delay, livelihoods dwindle.

In Sainj valley’s Dehuridhar panchayat, the destruction has turned tragic. Three villagers were swept away by flash floods—only one body recovered so far. Washed-out bridges have isolated hamlets like Nadahara, Sharan Bihali, Karahila and Niri, leaving residents without drinking water or access to healthcare.

Residents are urgently demanding the construction of a suspension bridge over the Sainj rivulet and the rebuilding of roads with durable designs to withstand the increasingly erratic monsoon patterns. Kullu ADC Ashwani Kumar has issued fresh advisories warning of sudden surges in rivers and streams. Authorities are urging residents and tourists to stay away from water bodies and landslide-prone zones.

Experts stress the need for continuous monitoring, proactive planning and swift, coordinated intervention. Engineering surveys of vulnerable slopes, resilient infrastructure, and climate-adaptive strategies are crucial — without them, Kullu’s annual monsoon suffering may soon turn permanent.