Torrential rain wreaks havoc in Nahan

Heavy overnight rainfall in Sirmaur district brought widespread destruction to the town of Nahan, submerging key infrastructure and paralysing normal life. Among the worst-affected were the Government Veterinary Hospital and the state-run resin (Biroza) factory, both of which suffered extensive water and debris damage.

At the Government Veterinary Hospital, floodwaters entered the premises, inundating the building and staff residences. The operation theatre, containing medical machinery worth lakhs of rupees, was submerged, raising serious concerns about equipment damage.

Shocking visuals from the site show the hospital and adjoining staff quarters resembling a water reservoir. With three doctors, two pharmacists and support staff forced to vacate their quarters, hospital operations were severely disrupted. Staff reported that despite informing the administration immediately, no official had reached the site till morning.

Simultaneously, the state-owned resin factory located along the Nahan-Shimla road also bore the brunt of the downpour. Around 10 pm, a torrential spell caused heavy debris to rush into the factory premises, damaging three rooms, machinery and essential equipment. As a result, all production activities have been halted.

Fortunately, no personnel were present in the factory at the time, averting potential casualties. However, the electrical poles and water pumps within the factory complex sustained significant damage, disrupting power and water supply to the factory and its residential colony.

The Nahan-Shimla highway near Banog was also partially washed away, while the factory’s losses were compounded by debris from an adjacent under-construction park. Notably, experts had earlier raised concerns about illegal roadside dumping and unchecked construction near natural water channels, which now appear to have worsened the flood impact.

Meanwhile, across Sirmaur, the situation remained tense as river water levels surged. Authorities were forced to open three gates of the Jaton Dam near Renuka Ji at midnight to manage the Giri River’s flow. Other rivers including the Jalal, Yamuna, Markanda, and Bata also saw rising water levels. The district administration has issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid riverbanks and remain alert.

The extent of losses is currently being assessed, and both the hospital and factory management are expected to formulate restoration strategies after full evaluation.