Cloudburst in Himachal: Farms Lost, Roads Cut Off, Spirit Unshaken

A Sudden Storm That Changed Everything

Cloudburst in Himachal: Farms Lost, Roads Cut Off, Spirit Unshaken – In the early hours of Saturday, Gutrahan village in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, was shaken by a powerful cloudburst. Around 3 AM, heavy rain poured down with such force that it triggered a flash flood. Within minutes, water mixed with mud and rocks rushed through the village, sweeping away everything in its path.

Local residents woke up to the sound of roaring water and crashing debris. Kashmir Singh, a farmer from the area, described how his fields were covered in thick layers of mud and stones. “The water came like a monster,” he said. “It didn’t care what was in its way.”

The cloudburst not only damaged farms but also buried several vehicles under piles of debris. At least 10 vehicles were reported trapped, some completely invisible under the rubble. Roads were blocked, and the village was cut off from nearby areas.

Farms Destroyed, Livelihoods at Risk

For the people of Gutrahan and nearby villages, farming is their main source of income. The floodwaters didn’t just wash away crops—they destroyed months of hard work. Paddy fields, vegetable patches, and fruit orchards were all ruined. The soil is now mixed with debris, making it difficult to grow anything in the near future.

Officials have started assessing the damage. Deputy Commissioner Rahul Kumar confirmed that crop loss is significant and relief will be provided once the full report is ready. But for many farmers, the damage goes beyond money. Their land is their life, and seeing it buried under mud is heartbreaking.

In nearby villages like Kamlari and Ghatasni in Chamba district, more homes were damaged due to the same weather system. Families had to leave their houses and take shelter with relatives. In Hamirpur, land near homes began to sink, forcing three families to evacuate.

Roads Blocked, Power Cut and Water Shortage

The cloudburst didn’t just affect farms and homes, it also hit basic services. Over 500 roads across Himachal Pradesh were closed due to landslides and flooding, including major highways like NH-3, NH-305, and NH-503A. This made it hard for emergency teams to reach affected areas quickly.

Power transformers and water supply systems were also damaged. According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, more than 950 transformers and over 300 water schemes were affected. This means many villages are now without electricity and clean water.

In Shimla, thick fog added to the chaos, reducing visibility and making travel dangerous. The local weather office issued a yellow warning for heavy rainfall, urging people to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.

A Call for Preparedness and Community Support

Thankfully, no lives were lost in this cloudburst. But the damage is a reminder of how vulnerable mountain communities are to extreme weather. Since the monsoon began in June, Himachal Pradesh has seen over 390 deaths due to rain-related incidents and road accidents. The state has suffered losses worth ₹4,467 crore so far.

Experts say that climate change is making such events more frequent and intense. Himachal received 43% more rainfall than normal this season. That’s a warning sign we can’t ignore.

Local authorities are working hard to clear debris, restore roads, and help affected families. But long-term solutions are needed better drainage systems, stronger buildings, and early warning alerts. Communities also need support to rebuild their lives, especially farmers who’ve lost their crops and land.

This disaster is not just a story of destruction. It’s a story of resilience. Villagers are helping each other, sharing food, and offering shelter. Their spirit shows that even in the face of nature’s fury, humanity stands strong.

Also read: Nature’s Fury Unleashed: Cloudbursts Ravage Kullu, Trigger Flash Floods and Chaos, 3 missing

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